Mayor Estrada.... Redemption Or Irony?

[Old55]

Mayor Estrada calls for a remaking of Manila and stamping out corruption.... something he is well experienced. Time will tell but maybe Estrada could chose to find redemption.

 

OSEPH Estrada promised to stamp out corruption, the very same crime that triggered his ouster from the presidency in 2001 and conviction for plunder six years ago, now that he is Manila City mayor.

Estrada will start this crusade by cleaning up the police force, which have been notorious for extortion, kidnapping, robbery, and physical abuse of suspected criminals.

“This is to ensure they are the Manila’s finest, not Manila’s worst,” he said in his inaugural speech after taking his oath before resigned Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile shortly before noon Sunday.

MANILA. Former President Joseph Estrada (center) smiles as he is surrounded by his family during his oath taking as the new city mayor of Manila on Sunday, June 30, 2013. (AP)

Estrada, who frustrated Alfredo Lim’s bid for a third straight term last May 13, said the city is in a mess, losing out to other cities in the National Capital Region in terms of poverty reduction, debt management, peace and order, and attracting investment.

Estrada can’t help but agree with the observation of a character in Dan Brown’s latest book “Inferno,” which described Manila as the “gates of hell” for its traffic jams and prostitution activities.

“Many are in still in the state of denial about this but for all of us, this is a wake-up call,” he said.

In his first 100 days in office, Estrada vowed to clean waterways to mitigate flooding, establish night markets for sidewalk vendors, update and modernize real property tax collection, as well as the release and issue business permits, and make revenue collections transparent.

“But I’m no superman,” he said, pitching his call for everyone, including political opponents, to help in the rebuilding of image of the Philippines’ capital city.

“We must all agree Manila is the gateway to the Philippines. Manila is the face, image of the Philippines, the pearl of the orient. We must ensure that this image is honorable and deserving of the respect of the international community,” said Estrada, who began his four-decade political career as mayor of neighboring San Juan City for 17 years until 1986.

Vice Mayor Isko Moreno and other members of the City Council took their oath before Acting Senate President Jinggoy Estrada. Also present at the legislative session hall were Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senators JV Ejercito and Nancy Binay, former Speaker Jose de Venecia, former senator Loi Estrada, and former Manila vice mayor Danny Lacuna, among others.

Estrada’s assumption into office came after the Supreme Court did not issue a stay order in favor of Lim’s former lawyer who questioned his candidacy because of the alleged conditional pardon given to him by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2007.

Lim was already allowed by the Supreme Court to intervene in the disqualification case. (Virgil Lopez)

 

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2013/06/30/estrada-we-will-clean-our-city-289974

 

[Steve & Myrlita]

Only in the Philippines can a convicted criminal get elected or re-elected......God Help Us!

[JJReyes]

It's neither redemption nor irony. It is politics as usual, Philippine style. Which do you prefer, as honest politician who says, "I am going to steal." or a dishonest one who say, "I am going to get rid of graft & corruption."

[Mike S]

Yes he was tried and convicted of a crime that was never actually proven .... the so called secrete letter was never opened in court but found years later and later proved to be a blank piece of paper if i remember right .... and who do you suppose was the vice-president at the time ..... oh no .... could it have been GMA .... tell me it isn't so .... and we all know she would never do anything to stay in or obtain the presidency now would she ..... but then she did pardon Estrada later if my memory also serves me right .....

 

As to a convicted person holding office and being elected .... no difference that in the US where a mayor of DC was convicted of drug abuse and re-elected mayor twice more .... think his name was Barry something or other .... not to be confused with Barry Soto another upstanding individual and a pillar of the community ..... :thumbsup: :mocking:

:cheersty:

[ozepete]

Don't think leaving a rat to guard the cheese is very clever!!   Or is it a case that his resume indicated vast experience!   

'It's more profitable fun in the Philippines'!!! for some. :bash:

[Call me bubba]

Remember its the VOTERS who elect this man(these kind of people) to lead them,

when the VOTERS open their eyes/wise up to what is actually going on and

how "these elected"of officials are impeding the progress of this country

only then would the FULL potential of manila or the philippines can be FULLY DEVELOPED 

 

2. he has made certain "PROMISES" lets watch and see if he can keep them. (not do the blame game)

then I can honestly judge the man,,

 

... ( i comment no further) 

[Jollygoodfellow]

Sounds like he is gearing up early for the next presidential election. But whatever, hope he does some good. 

[JJReyes]

Sounds like he is gearing up early for the next presidential election. But whatever, hope he does some good

 

So now we have two candidates preparing for the next presidential election in three years. There is Bongbong Marcos and Erap. The US changed from six months to one year to two years of campaigning. It seems in the Philippines candidates start even earlier.