Erap endorses Grace-Bongbong

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada officially endorsed presidential aspirant Sen. Grace Poe and vice presidential bet Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday.

Estrada announced the endorsement during a proclamation rally for his re-election bid at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.

According to a report from the STAR, Estrada also proclaimed support for the senatorial bids of former Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, former Special Action Force Director Getulio Napeñas, former Metro Manila Development Authority Chair Francis Tolentino and former Sen. Richard Gordon.

Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian, Sen. Sergio Osmena III, former TESDA chief Joel Villanueva, former Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez were also included in Estrada's Senate lineup.

Estrada earlier said that one of his bases for endorsing a candidate would be their stand on the proposed reimposition of the death penalty for drug offenders.

In October 2015, the Manila mayor admitted that he will make his final decision on whom to endorse between Poe and Vice President Jejomar Binay. Poe is daughter of Estrada's friend, the late Fernando Poe Jr., while Binay was his running mate during the 2010 elections.

The former president had endorsed the vice presidential bid of Marcos in October 2015, citing his long experience as a local government chief executive.