At least 5,000 supporters of former President and Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada filled the San Andres Sports Complex in Malate, Manila in a show of force that he will still win the mayoralty race in Manila.
Estrada is running under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, with Honey Lacuna as his vice mayor. Former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim and former congressman Amado Bagatsing are challenging him for the capital’s highest post.
Barangay leaders loyal to Erap and all registered voters in Manila flocked to the sports complex as early as 2 p.m. that became a venue for the mayor to report the gains Manila has reaped in the three years of his incumbency.
Estrada said the more than P4- billion indebtedness of the city left by the previous administration has been fully paid, and with the city finances now stable, his administration is able to deliver much-needed services to the public.
With peace and order his priority, Estrada reported that crime has decreased in the city and the police operation against illegal drugs has been successful.
Estrada has also increased the budgets of all 896 barangays in the city, implemented repairs and construction of classrooms and school buildings, fast-tracked street lighting, flood control projects and concreting of streets.
He established the first Manila Dialysis Center, and modernized the equipment of all six hospitals of the city. The Ospital ng Maynila now has MRI and CT Scan machines which are set to be inaugurated this week.
On the occasion of Estrada’s birthday on April 19, he will also inaugurate four newly completed public markets—Sta. Ana, San Andres, Trabajo and Sampaloc—aside from the new Mehan Garden near City Hall.
At the meeting in San Andres Sports Complex, leaders of the PMP from the national, regional, city, district, zone and barangay levels all vowed to work hard for the reelection of Mayor Estrada, this time through a resounding landslide victory, said PMP secretary-general Pablo Casimina.
Campaigning with Estrada are Lacuna for vice mayor, and a complete ticket of congressmen and councilors in the six districts of Manila.