Re-elected Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada on Wednesday said he will fully support President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s peace and order programs.
He said this after he took his oath as mayor at the Manila City Hall.
Estrada, who is on his second term as Manila Mayor, said the campaign against drugs will be his top priority.
“Sinusugpo na namin. [It’s] ongoing. I’m very happy natakot na sila kay President Duterte,” he told media.
(We’re suppressing it. It’s ongoing. I’m very happy that they are afraid of President Duterte.)
“Magtatayo kami ng rehab. Inuna ko muna yung papakinabangan ng mga mahihirap, gaya ng columbarium para lahat ng mahirap libre ang libing. But [rehabilitation centers] will be a big project,” he said.
(We will set-up rehabilitation centers. I prioritized programs that will benefit the poor like the columbarium so people can bury their dead for free. But the rehabilitation centers will be a big project.)
Re-elected Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada. INQUIRER.net PHOTO/Cathy Miranda
Estrada said that government officials who have ties to illegal drugs and who refuse to cooperate with the police will have no place in his administration.
“May kalalagyan sila. Dalawa lang pupuntahan nila. Tanggal sila o may kaso sila,” he said.
According to the former president, the government has already exhausted all efforts in making peace with the National People’s Army and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. He expressed hopes that Duterte’s peace talks will take effect amid the persistence of the rebel groups.
“I salute him for making peace and order as a number one project. I will be all out for him. That’s the only way we can move forward. Without economic growth, there will never be peace and order,” he said.
Estrada, who was flanked by his immediate family, was sworn into office by Court of Appeals magistrate Justice Andres Reyes Jr.
Vice Mayor-elect Honey Lacuna-Pangan, Estrada’s running mate, and 36 Manila councilors also took their oaths. Ma. Czarina A. Fernandez,INQUIRER.net trainee/KS