Estrada’s birthday wish: Landslide victory

Former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Deposed President Joseph Estrada, who is turning 76 on Friday, wishes for a landslide victory for his ticket in Manila and senatorial candidates under the United Nationalist Alliance in the coming May 13 elections.

Estrada who is running for Manila’s mayoral post made the appeal during his campaign sorties.

Estrada’s opponent, incumbent Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, is 86.

“Malapit na ang aking birthday. Maaari ba akong humiling sa inyo? Sana ay inyong suportahan ang aming ticket, kasama ang anim na konsehal ng inyong distrito at kongresista na magiging katuwang namin sa pagbabago at pagpapaunlad ng Maynila (My birthday celebration is near. Can I make a request from all of you? I hope you support our ticket, including the six councilors in your district and congressmen who we will be working with us in creating change and progress in Manila),” Erap said in a statement.

Estrada, who earlier said his bid for the top post of the city of Manila will be his last hurrah in politics, said he still has “no definite plans” for Friday, but said he will “surely hear Mass in one of the Catholic churches in Manila.”

He said that due to the campaign period, his day starts at 9 a.m. and often involves a motorcade that lasts until evening.