Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada listens to presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe during Estrada’s 79th birthday celebration held in a hotel in Manila on Tuesday. Estrada recently expressed support for Poe’s presidential bid in the May 9 elections.(MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Former President and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada on Tuesday thumbed down the idea of engaging his rivals in a debate after he skipped the Thrilla in Manila Mayoral Forum on April 5.
Estrada made the remarks after leading the inauguration of city facilities including the renovated Mehan Garden in front of Unibersidad de Manila, the Sta. Ana Public Market, and the San Andres Public Market.
He was joined by his son Senator JV Ejercito and his running mate Honey Lacuna.
Asked if he was willing to debate with former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Manila Representative Amado Bagatsing, Estrada said, “No need. Mga laos na iyon eh, baka sumikat pa sila.”
During the forum, Lim and Bagatsing criticized Estrada for his absence.
Estrada on Tuesday belied claims that market fees would go up. He said that while the public markets were renovated by private contractors, full control remained with the local government.
“It is still the city officials who control the market. It’s a joint venture but the city has the control,” he said.
The Sta. Ana and San Andres Public Markets were rebuilt by XRC Resources under AMRC Holdings Company, Inc.
“We will always protect the interest of the vendors. We are here to protect everybody. We will be just and fair to everyone, especially the vendors,” Estrada said.
He added the renovation will remove the image of the city’s public markets as dilapidated and dirty.
“This is Manila tapos yung mga market puro bulok, we have to change this image,” Estrada said.
He capped his birthday celebration with a gathering of barangay officials at the grand ballroom of the Century Park Hotel in Malate.
“My wish is to bring back the old glory of Manila as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’,” Estrada said.(MNS)