Erap, Lim set aside differences to mark death anniversary of common friend FPJ

Re-electionist Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and former President Joseph Estrada — the rivals for Manila's mayoralty race in 2013 — set aside their differences on Friday as they marked the death anniversary of a common friend: the late actor and presidential bet Fernando Poe Jr. Lim and Estrada shook hands when they met at the Manila North Cemetery to attend the Mass on Poe's eighth death anniversary, radio dzBB's Cecilia Villarosa reported. The two political figures, who earned reputations as "tough guys," had been taking verbal swipes at each other as they prepare to run in the Manila mayoralty race in May 2013. However, during Friday's Mass, both Estrada and Lim shook hands and stood beside Poe's widow Susan Roces. The two political candidates also wished each other peace during the Mass, and shook hands again when the Mass ended. Poe died on Dec. 14, 2004 after suffering a stroke. At the time, he had been protesting the victory of then re-electionist President Gloria Arroyo in the presidential race. Some 100 supporters attended the Mass marking Poe's death anniversary at the North Cemetery. Many of them wore white shirts with an image of Poe, while some sported pins with the message "I heart FPJ." Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez Jr. presided over the Mass and delivered the homily. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority issued an advisory that a portion of Pedro Gil Street in Manila was temporarily closed due to activities related to Poe's death anniversary. - VVP, GMA News