Erap: Cockpit arena just ‘intrigue’

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has belied reports that the city government is demolishing the Vitas slaughterhouse in Tondo to give way to the construction of a cockpit arena.

In a telephone interview with The STAR, Estrada said city government projects can only be implemented if there is a resolution approved by the city council.

“That is not true. It’s just a big lie, political intrigue. There is no project yet for the demolition of Vitas slaughterhouse to replace it with a cockpit arena,” Estrada said.

However, he did not say what the new structure being built on the site of the slaughterhouse is for.

Estrada said the “political intrigue” involving the cockpit arena could be the “handiwork” of his former vice mayor Isko Moreno, now undersecretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“The councilors quoted in the report are Isko Moreno’s men,” he said.

Estrada said the city government will support a sports hub like the Araneta Coliseum, not a cockpit arena, but “there is no approved project yet on that area.”

He also denied that he castigated former councilor and now Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau chief Dennis Alcoreza for the construction of a cockpit arena.

Councilors Grace Chua and Marjun Isidro criticized the construction.

Dealco Farms Inc., owned by Alcoreza’s family, runs the slaughterhouse and reportedly forged ties with a group of investors to put up the cockpit arena.