Erap to former mayor Lim at Bonifacio commemoration: You're a civilian now

The midterm elections are over, but the animosity between Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and his erstwhile rival, former city mayor Alfredo Lim, is apparently still alive. 

 

During the commemoration activities for Andres Bonifacio’s 150th birth anniversary Saturday, Estrada reminded Lim he is no longer a public official after a wreath bearing the former mayor’s name was laid at the Bonifacio Shrine in Manila minutes before the incumbent mayor arrived.

 

According to a report aired on “Balitanghali,” honor guards immediately set aside the wreath bearing Lim’s name before the program started. It is still uncertain if the flower arrangement actually came from the former mayor.
 

 

Vice President Jejomar Binay joined Estrada at the historical site for a short ceremony where they laid their wreaths to mark Bonifacio’s birthday. Another wreath, which came from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), was also placed at the foot of the shrine.

 

In an interview with reporters after the ceremony, Estrada said the wreath bearing Lim’s name was removed because he is no longer “a personality” in official functions such as the commemoration of Bonifacio Day.

 

“Hindi naman kami ang gumawa ng program, eh. National Historical Commission. Ako rin, [bilang] dating presidente, hindi naman kasama sa mga ganyan. You’re no longer… You don’t have any personality when you’re already a civilian,” Estrada said. 

 

On November 30 last year, the two former buddies turned political rivals used Bonifacio and notorious criminal Nicasio "Asiong" Salonga to trade barbs.

 

In his speech delivered at the Manila City Hall, then Mayor Lim said he will not let any more "Asiong Salongas" roam Manila as long as he is in charge of the city.

 

"Itong Asiong Salonga, baka 'di nyo alam, nasentensyahan ito, pumuga sa city jail naaresto sa illegal possesion of firearms, robbery with homicide at iba-iba pa," he said.

"Ito po ang record hanggang sa napatay siya ng kanyang kaaway sa kanilang partihan sa panghoholdap. Ito po ang tunay na Asiong Salonga,” he said.

 

Estrada, who portrayed Salonga in a film in 1961, took offense at Lim's statement.

 

"Yung pelikula ko, box office (hit). Samantalang siya, dalawang pelikula sa buhay niya, eh, nilalangaw. Mas malakas si Asiong Salonga," Estrada told reporters at the sidelines of a Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) event in Manila.

Estrada also used the occasion to compare himself to Bonifacio, saying they suffered similar fates. 

"Si Bonifacio inaresto rin, na-convict din at hindi lang ikinulong, na-execute pa...sa ilalim ng command ng isang nangangalang Major Lazaro Macapagal," he said then.

Estrada was ousted after mass protests in 2001, cutting short his impeachment trial for plunder. He was later tried and convicted for plunder by the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court, but was pardoned in 2007.

 

Estrada defeated Lim in the mayoral race in May by roughly 31,000 votes. — Xianne Arcangel/JDS, GMA News