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Erap takes oath for 2nd term as Manila mayor


Former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada on Wednesday took his oath of office for a second term as Manila mayor after narrowly defeating his closest rival, Alfredo Lim, in the May 9 elections.

Estrada was proclaimed winner with 283,149 votes over Lim's 280,464 and Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing's 167,829 votes.

Surrounded by his wife, Dra. Loi Ejercito, and children, the former president was sworn into office by Court of Appeals Justice Andres Reyes Jr. at the Manila City Hall around noon.

Meanwhile, Dr. Maria Shielah "Honey" Lacuna-Pangan, daughter of former Manila Vice Mayor Danny Lacuna, was sworn in as Manila's first female vice mayor.

The city's councilors were also sworn into office during the same event.

Lim petition

Estrada and Lim got embroiled in a bitter rivalry in the mayoral race.

Lim had filed a petition for the annulment of Estrada's proclamation, claiming that the reelected mayor bought votes.

Lim also accused the city board of canvassers of illegally canvassing votes by not electronically transmitting election results.

Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino and Aksyon Demokratiko, Estrada's political party, was also subjected to scrutiny after the late filing of its Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs).

Estrada vowed in 2012 that he would run for only one term as Manila mayor.

Estrada took the position from Lim in the 2013 elections. Lim was then running for his third term.

He placed second in the 2010 presidential election, losing to then Sen. Benigno Aquino III.

Estrada was the 13th President of the Philippines, but was ousted three years after winning in the 1998 elections due to allegations of corruption.

He was replaced by then Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who would later on win the 2004 presidential election. —ALG, GMA News

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