Mike and Erap

Local chief executives all over the country are closely watching former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada. It has been 12 years since his ouster from power and although he tried but failed to reclaim the presidency in 2013, the position of Manila city mayor is not exactly small time.

Among those keenly observing Erap is Cebu City Mayor Michael “Mike” Rama. They both belong to the opposition United Nationalist Alliance or UNA and although a common political affiliation brings them together, the strategic importance of the cities they politically control has become a factor in their seemingly growing friendship.

I picked this information during a chit-chat with the mayor together with other newly elected officers of the Cebu News Workers Multi-Purpose Cooperative at an uptown restaurant last Tuesday. This was after the oath taking ceremony in Marco Polo Plaza, wherein Mike was supposed to officiate our oath taking during the 888 forum. However, an earlier engagement that over-extended put him out of action, so the task went instead to 4th district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon.

In attendance aside from the Cebuano lawmaker was Renato Buenviaje, chief of staff of Coop-Natcco Party List’s 2nd nominee, Rep. Anthony Bravo. Businessman and tourism advocate Bobby Joseph was also among the panelists.

Mike redeemed himself by joining media co-operators for lunch but not before inducting us another time. The funny incident prompted NewsCoop board chairman Elias Baquero to remark, “Di na gyud mo matangtang” (No chance of Coop officers getting ousted)!

Mayor Rama then told us he is set to meet with Manila Mayor Erap Estrada to discuss possibilities in the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP).

The league gathers 66 city mayors across the country and the interface that results when they share best practices in environment, advocacy and information strategies enhances local governance. The league is an accountable entity, created through Section 499 of the Local Government Code.

As mayor of the most progressive and dynamic city in the country, Mike has reason to cast a moist eye on the LCP presidency and this was on the agenda of his supposed meeting with Manila Mayor Erap yesterday.

Erap is not interested in getting the top league post according to Mike. The former pledged his support for the Cebuano leader even if Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian, another UNA ally, is reportedly seeking the LCP presidency.

Mike’s LCP aspirations will have to wait another time because President Benigno Aquino III is expected to back up Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista who is a protégé of House Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte.

Another topic that the mayor discussed with media co-operators was his scheduled meeting yesterday with Philippine National Police Director Gen. Alan Purisima.

Mike will press his prerogative in choosing the city chief of police and if this meant seeking reconsideration for Senior Supt. Noli Romana, who was earlier sacked as director of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office, the mayor didn’t give a categorical answer.

The mayor’s entitlement is the crux of the issue, but if his choice is limited only to Senior Supt. Romana, it is not a solid perspective to stand on. Mike should realize that because Romana failed to curb illegal gambling and drugs in Negros Oriental, there is a perception that he is in connivance with the underworld. This is the reason the public is not in the mood to support the mayor’s choice of city police chief.

The way to resolve this issue is not to sue or even cajole the PNP hierarchy, but rather to choose a city police chief with integrity. If Mike is able to pick one, he would have a righteous cause and the public would back him 100 percent.

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Manila Mayor Erap Estrada’s first few days in office were swamped with complaints and grievances against so-called kotong cops. Kotong is slang for extortion and according to hapless Manila market vendors, policemen prey on them at every turn.

Erap is a street-smart politician but he was still appalled by the extent of corruption within Manila’s police organization. The situation prompted him to launch an all-out drive against rogues in uniform and illegal gambling like video karera, fruit games and last two (results of basketball games). Just as the gallery was about to give Erap a standing ovation, he announced the drive will not touch jueteng operations.

As we all know, Erap was ousted in 2001 on the heels of an aborted impeachment trial that charged him for accepting P545 million in jueteng kickbacks. He was eventually arrested, tried and convicted for the crime. He could have stayed behind bars for the rest of his life except that his public sins were pardoned by former Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The protection that rogues in uniform give to operators of last two, video karera and jueteng are one and the same. I don’t think Erap needs to be educated and that is why I believe that he is a unique symbol and in the best position to run after jueteng. He knows the ins and outs of the game and how it thrives in the dark side of the police organization.

How unfortunate that Erap does not realize that as Manila mayor, he has inimitable time to redeem his name. His drive against illegal gambling and kotong cops is just like his movies of old – make believe.