At an event meant to remember the late former senators Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., and Agapito “Butz” Aquino, former President Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada and Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas had the opportunity to share a light moment and remember something else—their working relationship.
The country’s former top leader and the aspiring president met by chance at the memorial mass for the Aquino brothers at La Salle Greenhills on Friday.
So what did Estrada whisper to Roxas?
“We exchanged greetings and well-wishes. I thanked him for everything he said about how I worked when I was still a part of his Cabinet,” Roxas told reporters.
The two were seen laughing and exchanging stories as they posed with individuals who attended the mass for photos.
Did Estrada express his support for Roxas in the elections? Roxas said: “Maybe it was just mutual expressions of goodwill.”
READ: Estrada: Roxas ‘proven incorruptible, qualified’
“Ang relasyon ko kay dating pangulong Erap ay mahusay, maayos at pinagsilbihan ko naman ang ating mga kababyan sa pamamagitan ng paggawa ko sa DTI (Department of Trade and Industry),” Roxas continued.
(I have a good and pleasant relationship with former president Erap as I have served our country well during my tenure as DTI secretary.)
Estrada is a known political ally of Vice President Jejomar Binay, who will be one of Roxas’ opponents in the presidential race in 2016.
In fact, the mayor went to the mass with Binay’s wife, Dr. Elenita Binay, and former senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta.
On the day President Benigno Aquino III anointed Roxas as the standard-bearer of the Liberal Party, Estrada said that his former Cabinet secretary is “proven incorruptible and qualified.”
Even the son of Estrada, detained Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, said that Roxas is “highly qualified” for the top post in the land. Julliane Love De Jesus/IDL
READ: Jinggoy: Mar Roxas ‘highly qualified’ for president
Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada (left) and Interior Sec. Mar Roxas exchange pleasantries during their chance encounter at the memorial mass for the late senators and brothers Ninoy Aquino and Butz Aquino. JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net