Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has confirmed his intention to seek a third and final term in the 2019 local elections, to fulfill his promise to regain Manila’s lost glory and a make the country’s premier city a drug-free city.
The city chief executive also expressed confidence that newly-elected village and youth leaders who were elected to their respective positions will help the city government eradicate illegal drugs and reduce criminality in the city.
Estrada won a second straight term in the May 10, 2016 elections, beating predecessor Alfredo Lim by just over 2,000 votes.
Both men declared their intentions for a rematch after voting in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls last Monday.
The former president, who ran under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino party, edged out Lim with a final and officially tally of 283,149 votes two years ago, with 100 percent of the Manila precincts reporting.
Mayors can only serve up to three consecutive three-year terms.
“You know I have fully supported President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs, crimes, and other illegal activities. I hope that by the end of my last term in 2022 Manila is drug free,” Estrada said.
“Nobody can change my inspiration, no one can divert me on my mission, on my dream in Manila. I had already laid down my program of government to regain the lost pride and glory of Manila,” the former President added.
Estrada vowed to fulfill his promises to help poor Manileños, provide livelihood programs to uplift their lives, and most of all to restore the beauty and glory of Manila.
He said several programs are set to be implemented to lure more investors and businesses in Manila to create more jobs.
The mayor said with the help of God, with the trust given to him by the people, he can make Manila a great city again.
Estrada reiterated his commitment to serve his constituents to the best of his ability and see “a new ray of hope for all Manileños.”
To the newly elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan leaders, the mayor urged them to serve their respective constituents and avoid any involvement in illegal activities, particularly illegal drugs.