Estrada not worried of Aquino’s support for Mayor Lim

Former President Joseph Estrada. Photo by Jamie Marie Elona/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Former President Joseph Estrada is not worried with the idea that President Benigno Aquino III is backing up his rival for the mayoral post in the city of Manila.

Speaking to reporters during the sidelines of the United Nationalist Alliance’s proclamation rally for its local bets in San Juan City, Estrada said President Aquino is supporting incumbent Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim because he is a candidate under the Liberal Party which he heads.

“But what did the President say?” Estrada asked while quoting President Aquino as saying that “Yung hindi daw nagawa ni Mr. Fred Lim ay s’ya ang magpupuno (What Mr. Fred Lim allegedly didn’t’ accomplish, he will fill up).”

Esrada said this only goes to show that he hasn’t done anything and needs the President.

“He’s [the President] the head of LP [Liberal Party] of course . . . he has to endorse him. . . That’s his duty. Hindi naman niya ako kailangang siraan (He doesn’t need to break me),” Estrada said when asked for his comment on the idea that President Aquino endorsed Lim in his proclamation rally, but didn’t directly criticize him.

“Baka walang makitang isisira sa akin (He may have seen nothing against me),” Estrada added.

He also cited a study from the University of the Philippines which allegedly showed that among all the cities in the Philippines, Manila, of which Lim has been mayor for 12 years, was recorded with the “highest level of poverty incidence” and also “has the most number of unemployed citizens.”

“Housing wala din. Imagine being over taken by all surrounding cities and municipalities,” one of UNA’s Three Kings said, this time, citing a study from the Department of Interior and Local Government which allegedly said that Manila has been dominated by cities Valenzuela, Makati, Quezon City, Pasig, Mandaluyong, and San Juan—Estrada’s bailiwick for several decades.

“Out of 38 highly urbanized cities sa Philippines, Manila ranked number 36,” Estrada said and was quick in adding “I’m not the one who said this.” Estrada said Valenzuela topped the said list, followed by the city of San Juan.

Meanwhile, if he gets elected as Manila mayor, Estrada said he will focus on the aspect of peace and order, saying that there is no economic growth without this.

He said he will “bring back the glory of Manila.”

Estrada attended UNA’s proclamation rally held at the Tanghalan ng Masa in San Juan City to personally endorse Mayor Guia Gomez—the mother of his son, JV Ejercito—as she seeks re-election as Mayor of the city.

Gomez’ running mate for vice mayoral post is Francis Zamora.

The event was also graced by the presence of UNA senatorial bets JV Ejercito, Jack Enrile, Nancy BInay and Mitos Magsaysay.