Erap vs Lim: Who’s the better candidate?

MANILA, Philippines – The Battle for Manila heats up even more.

After facing off in a television debate Tuesday, re-electionist Alfredo Lim and former President Joseph Estrada meet again, this time in the University of the Philippines in Manila.

Ayee Macaraig reports. 

JOSEPH ESTRADA

FORMER PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT

‘Di ko sinasabi umiyak si Chiz Escudero pero siya talagang umiyak!

ALFREDO LIM

MANILA MAYOR

Bakit ako luluha sa isang tao na ‘di naman maganda ang pagkatao, convicted of plunder?!

It’s round two of the Joseph Estrada-Alfredo Lim political battle royal for the country’s capital.

A day after sparring at ABS-CBN’s Umagang Harapan, the two candidates for Manila mayor square off at the “Thrilla in UP Manila” debate.

The title couldn’t be more fitting.

While the debate was supposed to tackle student concerns, Estrada and Lim come swinging at each other.

The former President hits Lim’s leadership, citing the high poverty and crime rate under his watch.

Lim defends his record and it goes downhill from there. 

JOSEPH ESTRADA

FORMER PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT

In the case of the Santa Mesa Tourism Development Corp, the Supreme Court admonished the city for issuing an ordinance that legislated morality. Public servants must respect the rights of citizens.

ALFREDO LIM

MANILA MAYOR

Tanungin ko siya, ano nangyari kay Bubby Dacer at ang kasama niya? Anong nangyari kay Bentain, ‘yung Pagcor employee who gave the tape kay Morato nung nagca-casino sila? Bakit after he won, nawala si Bentain, hanggang ngayon ‘di pa nakikita? Saan ang human rights ni Bentain?

The hosts remind the candidates that students want to focus on concrete solutions to problems like traffic obstruction because of illegal vendors.

ALFREDO LIM

MANILA MAYOR

Dahil prinesenta niyo ang problema, iyan ang gagawin natin. In two weeks time magkakaroon ng solusyon.

JOSEPH ESTRADA

FORMER PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT

Iyang mga vendor na iyan ay may lagay kaya di sila bibigyan ng lisensya, iligal. Alam ni Mayor Lim, pulis din iyan eh. 

Lim and Estrada also clash on the transfer of the Pandacan oil depot.

While the mayor says oil companies should be given time for the transfer, Estrada cites the danger of postponing the move.

Yet the debate again digresses when Lim raises Estrada’s plunder conviction in 2007.

Lim says if Estrada were really innocent, he should have appealed the verdict instead of begging for pardon from then President Arroyo.

The mayor says this is his edge over his rival.

JOSEPH ESTRADA

FORMER PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT

Sinasabi niya ako nagmakaawa. Kahit kanino ‘di ako nagmakaawa.

ALFREDO LIM

MANILA MAYOR

Can you stomach somebody who has been convicted for plunder, sentenced for life, to be the mayor of the city of Manila? Kahiya-hiya ‘yun! Mr. President ikaw ba ito?

Students could not help but express their dismay, with the mudslinging taking time from questions on flooding and security.

RENREN RAMIREZ

UP MANILA STUDENT

Yung mga sagot nila, medyo abstract, ‘di masyadong concrete. Kung meron sanang alternative.

Those who watched the debate say it’s hard to choose who is the better candidate.

With the personal jabs and attacks, the debate between Dirty Harry and Asiong Salonga turns out to be like an intense boxing bout.

But with the focus away from Manila’s urgent issues and problems, students say it’s neither Lim nor Estrada but the voters who will be knocked out.

Ayee Macaraig, Rappler. – Rappler.com