Manila race:  Bagatsing challenges Estrada, Lim to physical exam

Manila’s fifth district congressman Amado Bagatsing, Former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim and incumbent Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines — Manila’s fifth district congressman Amado Bagatsing challenged his opponents in this year’s mayoral race to a fitness exam to see who among them would be “fit to lead the city.”

In a press conference on Tuesday, Bagatsing banked on his being the youngest in the three-way race to quell rumors that he was ill.

Instead, Bagatsing, 68, dared Mayor Joseph Estrada, 78, and his predecessor Alfredo Lim, 86, to a fitness exam.

“Kung ano-anong gimmik ang pinalalabas nila (They’re resorting to all sorts of gimmick),” he said blaming the two politicians. “Malamang kinakabahan dahil malapit na eleksyon (They’re nervous as the election approaches).”

“Kung gusto nila, hinahamon ko sila, sabay-sabay kaming mag ap test para malaman natin kung sino-sino talaga ang may sakit at para malaman natin kung sino talaga ang fit to lead the city (If they want, I challenge them to an ap test to determine who among us are sick and who among us is really fit to the lead the city),” he said.

Bagatsing, a three-term congressman, is a son of former Manila mayor Ramon Bagatsing. He is running with a promise to bring back Manila’s zest and to introduce a more business-friendly city.  SFM

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