Estrada eyes teamup with Bagatsing

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada is considering teaming up with former Manila fifth district congressman Amado Bagatsing for the May 2019 elections.

In a telephone interview with The STAR, Estrada said he believes in the integrity, credibility and capability of Bagatsing to handle the second highest elective position in Manila.

“Most probably, it will be Amado Bagatsing,” Estrada said when asked who will be his running mate for the May 2019 elections, adding that he and Bagatsing are set to meet soon.

Bagatsing, who lost to Estrada in the 2016 mayoral race, has yet to comment.

He said he wants to win his third and last consecutive term to complete the programs he started.

“I have saved the city from bankruptcy. I am running again to complete my vision for Manila to regain its old glory as the premier city of the country and as the Pearl of the Orient,” Estrada said, adding that Manila is now debt-free.

He also said his primary target now is to make Manila drug-free “before I retire from politics.”     

Estrada, founding chairman of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, said his party will likely merge with Bagatsing’s Kabalikat ng Bayan sa Kaunlaran (Kabaka) party.

Bagatsing, son of the late former Manila mayor Ramon Bagatsing, served as a congressman for six terms.
His Kabaka program has provided the people of Manila free health care and livelihood and skills trainin for the past 30 years.