Erap draws first blood vs Lim

MANILA, Philippines - Former president Joseph Estrada was the first to draw blood in his mayoral bid against Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim in what many have dubbed the Battle of Manila.

There was no shortage in movie and television celebrities at the proclamation rally of Estrada and Vice-Mayor Isko Moreno in Manila Sunday night. Estrada is running for mayor, while Moreno is seeking re-election.

The two are former actors.

With the host of celebrities who went up on stage, even senatorial candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance joined in the dance performances.

Vice-President Jejomar Binay was also there to endorse the candidates and participate in the festivities.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was also present as well as his half-brother, UNA candidate JV Ejercito, to endorse their father's candidacy.

Aside from declaring his bid to run as vice-mayor again, Moreno also took a swipe at his erstwhile partner at city hall. He said Estrada would soundly beat Lim who has been dubbed the "Dirty Harry" of Manila for his no-nonsense approach to crime.

"Ano ba napala natin sa nakaraang 21 years? Wala. Nganga...Bumangon sa norte si Asiong Salonga. Hindi makatiis kay Dirty Harry. Gugulpihin niya ito. Partida pa, bumunot pa siya ng baril. Puro takot takot, manduduro naman. Iyakin pa," he said.

During the proclamation rally, Estrada laid down his plans for Manila. Among these are peace and order, better business opportunities, stronger industries and more jobs.

The former president also did not let the evening pass without hitting his rival. He said Lim was too quick to call him a plunderer and an ex-convict when the mayor actually asked for his endorsement in a previous senatorial election.

Estrada was elected president in 1998 but was deposed in 2001, halfway through his six-year term.

Following a marathon trial, he was convicted in 2007 of corruption for plunder and taking kickbacks worth tens of millions of dollars while president. He was however quickly pardoned by his successor Gloria Arroyo.

Estrada consistently maintained that his ousting was a conspiracy involving the influential Catholic church and the elite who feared his populist ideas.

He ran again for the presidency in 2010, coming in second behind Benigno Aquino in a field of 10 candidates -- proving that he remains among the country's most popular politicians despite his conviction. With Agence France-Presse

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Erap gives Dolphy ‘People’s Artist Award’, says they had a common vice

Former President Joseph Estrada gave Dolphy a “People’s Artist Award” during the necrological service for the fallen comedian on Friday night at the Heritage Park chapel in Taguig.

Zsa Zsa Padilla, Dolphy’s partner for the last 23 years, received the award from Estrada, who had called for the conferment of the National Artist award on Dolphy in the weeks leading up to the latter’s death on Tuesday.

Estrada said he gave the award on behalf of the non-profit group Dakilang Lahi Foundation to compensate for the present administration’s failure to honor Dolphy with the National Artist award.

“The National Artist award for Dolphy is long overdue. Nalungkot ako nang hindi naibigay ‘yon sa kanya habang buhay siya,” he told reporters.

Estrada joined Dolphy’s colleagues from Sampaguita Pictures and the sitcom “John en Marsha” in paying tribute to the Comedy King.

Like Dolphy, Estrada began his acting career in the 1950s, although he was a contract star of Sampaguita’s rival studio, LVN Pictures.

In his eulogy, he joked that he and Dolphy shared one vice, meaning their weakness for beautiful women.

Naturally, it drew laughs from the crowd of celebrity mourners that included Susan Roces, Robert Arevalo, Barbara Perez, Eddie Gutierrez, Bella Flores, Celia Rodriguez, and German Moreno.

Moreno praised Dolphy’s portrayals of gay characters in movies like “Jack en Jill”, “Facifica Falayfay”, and “Ang Tatay Kong Nanay” and said they helped Filipinos accept homosexuality.

Kaye Torres spoke on behalf of her late mother Nida Blanca, Dolphy’s leading lady in “John en Marsha”. She said she is happy that Dolphy, whom she considered her second father, and Nida are now together in heaven.

Meanwhile, Eric Quizon has announced that his father’s burial on Sunday will be a private affair and only relatives and friends of the family will be let inside Heritage Park. He advised the public to just watch the event live on television.

Dolphy’s casket will be transported on a horse-drawn carriage to his tomb inside the memorial park, some 100 meters away from the chapel.

source: interaksyon.com