Zamora returns to work, hits back at Jinggoy

MANILA, Philippines — The word war between San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora and former senator Jinggoy Estrada continued to rage, with the mayor branding the mobile market of his political opponent’s daughter as illegal.

Zamora returned to work yesterday after completing his 14-day home quarantine.

Last week, Estrada accused the mayor of talking vendors out of participating from the rolling market of his daughter, former vice mayor Janella Estrada.

According to Zamora, the Estradas did not secure a permit from the city hall for their mobile market, which makes their operation illegal.

“Hindi puwede na basta sila magbukas. Walang permit, illegal yun,” Zamora told reporters.

At least 100 vendors belonging to the Agora Public Market Vendors and Owners Association were affected by the mobile market, which has been operating for more than a week.

Some of the vendors held a rally in front of the public market yesterday, demanding that Janella stop her mobile store.

Police officers asked the protesters to stop the activity as mass gatherings are banned during the enhanced community quarantine.

One of the vendors, Pablo Reyes, said the Estradas have been selling their goods at a 50 percent discount. The vendors’ products are sold at regular prices.

Reyes said a kilo of chicken at Janella’s store is sold at P75, cheaper compared to their price of P150 per kilo.

“Kahit dinadala namin sa mga barangay ang aming tinda ay halos walang bumibili,” Reyes said.

He criticized the Estradas for allegedly making a profit out of donated goods.

Zamora said he would refer the matter to the city’s business permit and licensing office once the vendors file a formal complaint.

He urged the Estradas to file an application for a business permit at city hall to make their operations legal.

COVID-19 facilities

Zamora led the inauguration of eight modular lightweight shipping containers, which will be used as staging areas for patients lined up for admission at the San Juan Medical Center’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ward.

It was Zamora’s first public appearance since his quarantine ended on April 11. 

He isolated himself on March 29 after being exposed to a staff who had tested positive for the virus.

Zamora was cleared to return to work after he did not manifest any symptoms of COVID-19.

The shipping containers, donated by EEI Corp., have airconditioners and four beds each.

One of the units is reserved for positive COVID-19 patients who have just given birth.

San Juan has so far recorded 159 cases of COVID-19 with 28 deaths. Among the fatalities was Zamora’s aide.

He appealed to the residents to stay home to prevent the virus from infecting more people.

To ease the financial burden of families who lost their loved ones to COVID-19 and other illnesses, Zamora said the city government is offering free cremation services.

“Libre po ang cremation sa San Juan, COVID-19 man o hindi ang cause of death,” he said.