Rolling store revives Estrada, Zamora clans feud in San Juan

The setting up of a rolling store amid the strict quarantine being enforced to fight COVID-19 brought back to life the feud between the Estradas and the Zamoras -- two prominent political families in the city of San Juan.

An initiative of Janella Estrada, the rolling store was ordered closed last week by Zamora for lacking permit.

Coming to daughter Janella's defense, former senator Jinggoy Estrada in a Facebook live last week, accused Zamora for allegedly talking vendors out of participating in the rolling store, according to a 24 Oras report on Tuesday.

Zamora beat Janella in the mayoralty race in 2019, which ended the five decades control over the city of the Ejercito-Estrada clan.

Jinggoy said the rolling store was even selling products for half its price.

Zamora, on the other hand, said the Estradas did not secure a permit from the city hall, which makes the operation of their rolling store illegal.

Zamora added that the products the Estradas were selling even came from donations.

The mayor also said the store was competing with legitimate sellers at the Agora Market.

Meanwhile, Janella said the city hall was closed when she tried to secure a permit for the store.

Zamora, however, countered the city hall is open and is working on a skeleton force.

At present, the Estradas decided to temporarily cease operations of the rolling store.

Jinggoy said they were only doing a good deed, which Zamora mixed with politics.

Zamora answered back, saying he'd rather focus on addressing the needs of his constituents hit hard by the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.

He added he is not prohibiting the Estradas from helping, but urged them to file an application for a business permit to make their operations legal.

“‘Di natin silang pinipigilang tumulong. Kung gusto nila, mag-apply sila ng permit sa pamahalaang lungsod. Never naman sila nag-apply sa city hall, bigla na lang sila nagbukas ng sarili nila,” Zamora said. —Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF, GMA News