Erap-Isko vs Lim meme: ‘Anyare, Mayor?’

MANILA, Philippines – From intense debates on TV shows and mudslinging in press conferences, the feud between former President Joseph Estrada and Alfredo Lim — rivals in Manila’s mayoral race — has gone online.

Estrada and running mate Vice Mayor Isko Moreno have posted a meme against Lim on their social media pages.

The meme showed words lifted from Moreno’s speech during their proclamation rally on March 31. The first panel showing the urban poor in the nation’s capital carries the text, “Anyare Mayor (Whatever happened to Manila, Mayor)?” The second panel showed Lim with his mouth open and a caption that reads “Nga-Nga!! (mouth opened).” The last panel shows the smiling Erap-Isko tandem with text that reads “Maiba Naman (Time for a change)!” 

Moreno said a follower created the meme, but he fully supports its message.

“It’s a question of where is Manila now after 21 years na dalawang mayor lang ang na-elect (that only two people held the mayoral post),” Moreno said.

Lim was mayor for 3 terms until 1998. He was succeeded by Lito Atienza, who served from 1998 to 2007, then Lim has held the post again since 2007. Still, Moreno said, no significant progress happened in the city.

“We wanted Manilans to change the leadership in Manila by spreading this meme,” he added.

Moreno reiterated that the nation’s capital has lagged behind Taguig, which has the commercial and residential hub Global City Fort Bonifacio Development; Pasay City, where properties like the SM Mall of Asia were developed by SM Development Corporation; and Quezon City, which prides in having Eastwood City in Libis developed by Megaworld and the Ayala-UP Technohub in what used to be idle land in the University of the Philippines-Diliman.

Lim has denied sitting on the city’s projects but emphasized that he prioritized providing free healthcare to residents of Manila. His chief of staff and campaign manager Ric de Guzman said they have not yet seen the meme. – Rappler.com