Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada. INQUIRER file photo
MANILA — Reelectionist Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada is expecting an “easy win” in the upcoming polls, especially with his rivals forming “hasty alliances” in the last remaining campaign days.
At the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) miting de avance in Moriones, Tondo, Estrada, who led the festivities, described the recent decision made by his opponent, former Mayor Alfredo Lim, to abandon his running mate, Rep. Benjamin Asilo, in favor of another vice mayoral candidate Councilor Ali Atienza as “a desperate effort to bring him down.”
“They are panicking, as indicated by the fact that they are changing alliances–which shows I am the stronger contender,” said Estrada.
Atienza’s father, Buhay Partylist Rep. Lito Atienza, recently said his son would also be supporting Lim instead of his running mate, Rep. Amado Bagatsing. The younger Atienza, however, has not yet spoken about the issue.
Estrada said that he would win by a bigger margin over his competition–particularly Lim–because of the projects he was able to implement in the past three years.
“I paid off all of the debt [Lim] left the city with,” he said.
He added that he has been looking forward to develop Manila further, with focus on peace and order, and bringing down the city’s crime rate.
Estrada was joined at the miting de avance by his vice mayor Honey Lacuña and his whole ticket for the city council and the House of Representatives.
Special guests at the miting de avance was Estrada’s goddaughter, Sen. Grace Poe, whose bid for the presidency he has been supporting; his vice presidential bet, Sen. Bongbong Marcos; and senatorial bets, former Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, Akbayan partylist Rep. Risa Hontiveros, former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Francis Tolentino, Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, Sen. Serge Osmeña, Leyte first district Rep. Ferdinand Romualdez, former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) director general Joel Villanueva, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, and former Senators Dick Gordon, Ping Lacson and Migz Zubiri.
Celebrity entertainers included Arnell Ignacio, Marissa Sanchez, April Boy Regino, Black Jack, and Michael Pangilinan. SFM