Estrada: Take ‘Lim’s money’ but vote for me

MANILA, Philippines – Manila mayoral candidate Joseph Estrada urged voters to accept money from his rival re-electionist Mayor Alfredo Lim but vote for him instead.

“Para turuan ang mga pulitikong ganun. Tanggapin ninyo ‘yung pera, ilagay sa bulsa, Estrada sa balota, ‘di ba? (To teach politicians like that a lesson, accept the money then shade Estrada on the ballot),” the former president told reporters after hearing a mass at Sto. Nino de Tondo Parish Church.

Estrada denied being behind posters that accused Lim of buying votes. He also renounced Lim’s allegations that the stoning incident in their caucus and the mauling of supporters outside his house in Sta. Mesa were self-inflicted.

Erap to Veloso: I don’t like his face

Reacting to statements from Lim’s running mate, councilor Lou Veloso, that he was a “diablo (demon)” who deludes people with the word “mahirap (poor),” Estrada said: “Si Lou Veloso? ‘Wag mong pag-iintindi ‘yan. ‘Di ko gusto pagmumukha n’un. (Lou Veloso? Don’t mind him. I don’t like his face).”

“Paanong magkakamali? Si Bishop Tobias, ang simbahan, humingi ng tawad. (How would I have sinned to the people? Bishop Tobias, the Church – they asked for my forgiveness),” he said.

Veloso earlier told Rappler that public governance was not about looks.

No plans of losing

“I have been harassed several times – the disqualification cases, the stoning incident in our rally. But I’ve always forgiven them,” he said.

“Come election day, pangalagaan ang boto nila (protect their votes). Let the will of the people prevail,” the former president said.

Asked what would be his next step be if he loses the local polls, Estrada replied with a grin, “Wala akong planong matalo (I have no plans of losing).”

During his miting de avance at Plaza Morga, Estrada reiterated that he was wronged when the country’s elite connived to remove him as President in 2001. Let the mayoral seat in the nation’s capital be his last chance to redeem himself to the poor who believes in him, he said. – Rappler.com

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