Estrada to spend birthday with poor

President Estrada celebrates today his 63rd birthday in his traditional way, by spending it with poor families whom he considers "my lucky charm."

The President said that during his 17 years as mayor of San Juan, he kept his vow of visiting the poor on his birthday, often at the San Lorenzo Ruiz Resettlement Site in Taytay, Rizal.

"I always had lunch there. This has been my vow, to spend time with the poor," Mr. Estrada said, adding his commitment has remained unbroken even when he is already the President.

"The poor have given me fortune and strength. I intend to use this strength to uplift their lives," the Chief Executive stressed.

He said he will celebrate his birthday today without any frills, just the traditional Mass then lunch with the poor families in Taytay.

Mr. Estrada also took the opportunity to renew his call on the people to rally behind his leadership in implementing his pro-poor programs.

He said he wants all his projects completed before his term expires in 2004.

"I would be happy if I see our pro-poor programs fulfilled at the soonest possible time," the President said.

For his part, Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado said the continued stability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be their birthday gift to the President.

Mercado said the military hierarchy has relayed the message to him during a loyalty parade held in honor of the President, and at a dinner with generals in Malacañang.

"This shows the stability of our institutions. We want to show that our men in uniform are ready to defend peace and order and the Constitution. That's what the loyalty parade is all about," Mercado said.

He pointed out it belies once and for all rumors of a coup that persisted at the height of verbal attacks on Mr. Estrada last month.

Presidential son Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito said he wishes his father "four more years of great accomplishments, particularly in the areas of peace and stability, mass housing, food security, agriculture modernization and economic growth."

"I wish him as the father of the nation inspired leadership, focused on liberating the masa (masses) from poverty and ... determined to give the Filipinos a new era of peace, jobs, justice, education, health and higher standard of life," JV said in a statement.

Ejercito, national chairman of the Kabataan ng Masang Pilipino, said he wishes that his father would hang on "because I truly believe that the majority of the people are behind him and believe in what he is doing."

"May he reap more successes until his term ends for this would mean success for the country and the people as well," the statement said.

He added that he hoped the President would ignore the "noisy minority" and focus instead on pushing and accomplishing the national agenda for development, including "reinvigorated trade, commerce and industry, flourishing democracy and pervasive peace and order."