Estrada: Give Duterte a chance to prove himself

Presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte should be given a chance to prove himself before being judged by the public, former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said on Wednesday.

Because when he was president, Estrada lamented that he was never given a chance to prove himself after he was “illegally” removed from office in 2001.

The incumbent mayor was elected president by a large majority in 1998 but was ousted in January 2001 by a people power revolt also known as Edsa 2. His ouster catapulted then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo into power.

“Let’s give him a chance,” Estrada said of Duterte during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum in Malate, Manila.

READ: Give us a chance, Duterte camp asks critics

“He was elected unanimously with a big margin; it’s because I believe that the people want a strong man,” he said, citing the urgent need to address the peace and order problems in the country.

“So let’s give him a chance to prove himself that he can really deliver, especially in peace and order.”

While he was elected president in 1998, Estrada said he was not given a chance to prove himself.

“I’d say let’s give him chance. Ako, I was given a chance (but) I was illegally removed, unconstitutionally removed. I was not given a chance to prove myself so I’d say let’s give him a chance before judging him,” he further said.

Estrada, who backed the presidential bid of Senator Grace Poe, refused to give any unsolicited advice to Duterte even when sought for comment about a possible impeachment bid against the latter over his statement on Scarborough Shoal.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV earlier warned Duterte that he could face an impeachment complaint if he would continue to say that the Philippines has already lost its claim over the disputed island.

READ: Duterte may face impeachment over Scarborough claim—Trillanes

“I just wish they will all be loyal to Duterte,” Estrada said, referring to Duterte’s allies in Congress. JE