Saying he was being used in a desperate misinformation campaign by the “alliance” of former mayor Alfredo Lim and outgoing Rep. Amado Bagatsing, a veteran Manila city councilor has denied betraying his long-time ally, Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada.
Third District Councilor Bernie Ang said Lim and Bagatsing have been using him, through the media, in an attempt to create a misimpression that Mayor Estrada is slowly losing his political hold of Manila.
Ang particularly referred to the story “Bagatsing, Lim expose Estrada spending spree” which appeared on The Standard’s April 12, 2016 issue.
Ang was quoted in the newspaper report as saying that Mayor Estrada is “losing the support of the masses” and that the mayor’s only answer to this impending defeat “is to flood, literally, the city with plenty of money.”
Ang strongly denied making such statements. He said he remains a top ally and supporter of Mayor Estrada.
“Sabi, ako daw ang supporter ni Mayor, eh bakit ko sasabihin yun [newspaper report quotes]? Common sense dictates that you will not say that, ‘di ba? Halatang-halata na they twisted the whole thing,” the councilor pointed out.
Ang explained, “Ang interview sa akin is, kung si Mayor Erap ay para sa mahihirap bakit maraming mahirap sa Maynila… Ang sagot ko, yung mga nakikita niyong nagrereklamong mahihirap, hindi taga-Maynila. Dahil yung mga taga-Maynila mayroon tayong record at yung mga yan inaalagaan na natin. Ang mga programa ni Mayor siguro nakikita nila puro tulong sa mahihirap. Sabi nila spending spree. Yun ay mga pro-poor program natin. Mga pagbibigay ng wheel chair, tulong sa mga senior citizen. Sa mga livelihood program, capital assistance program, free hospital are, crematorium, mga walang trabaho para may makain man lamang sila. Maraming mga pro-poor program.”
“Yung mga nakikita na pinamimigay natin, it’s not a sign of desperation. Obligasyon natin yun. Ngayon, siguro na-fi-feel nila na receptive ang communities. Ngayon, binabaligtad nila, tini-twist nila.”
Such malicious story, Ang said, is a “good sign” that it is actually Lim and Bagatsing who are fearful of their fate in the coming May elections.
“By their action, they’re acknowledging that Mayor Erap is the man to beat. Desperate iyan. Gagawa at gagawa ng mga intriga iyan,” Ang added.
About the supposed “spending spree” of Mayor Estrada, Ang, chairman of committee on appropriations in the city council, said all expenditures and financial transactions are being strictly scrutinized by the Commission on Audit (COA).
“As the chairman of the committee on appropriation, I can see where the city’s revenues go. I can say Mayor Erap is very careful when it comes to spending, because he inherited huge debts left by ex-Mayor Lim when he assumed office in 2013,” Ang said.