Erap takes oath as new mayor of Manila

(Updated 6:25 p.m.) Former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada was sworn in as new Manila mayor by former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile before noon Sunday.

Among those present at the oath-taking ceremony were the former president's wife Loi, sons acting Senate President Jinggoy Estrada and Senator-elect JV Ejercito, Vice President Jejomar Binay, former Senate President Ernesto Maceda, and former House Speaker Jose De Venecia.

Re-elected Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno and newly-elected city councilors were sworn into office earlier at about 11:30 a.m.

'Ex-convict'

In a speech after his oath-taking, Estrada thanked all those who supported his mayoral race.

"Taos-puso akong nagpapasalamat sa inyong tiwala at walang sawang pagsuporta sa akin," he said.

"Kung hindi man ako ang inyong binoto, hinihiling kong tulung-tulong tayong ibangon muli ang ating lungsod," he added.

Estrada, who maintained his innocence from accusations during his presidency, said this is "the first time in history, Manila will have an ex-convict as your mayor."

He likened himself to leaders such as Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia, Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar, and even former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., who was convicted by a military court.

"We were all convicted that is why we are now known as men of conviction."

He said he was twice offered the opportunity to leave the country and not face charges, but he chose to remain.

“But as pre-judged, I was convicted, and the justices who convicted me were immediately promoted to the Supreme Court,” he said.

"Kung ako man ay ex-convict, ito ay dahil sa aking prinsipyo," Estrada added.

'Manila went bankrupt'

Citing information from the Commission on Audit, Estrada said Manila has incurred around P3.5 billion in debt, including unpaid Meralco bills worth more than P600 million.

“So much is expected from me, walang pera ang kaban ng lungsod,” he said in a press conference after the oath-taking. “You cannot create projects kung walang pondo; that is the problem I am facing as mayor.”

Estrada also said the “lack of peace and order in Manila” resulted in investors and businesses' leaving the city.

“Patong-patong and mga problema, kaya ang investors, mga komerisyante at mga negosyante, lumilipat na sa ibang lungsod at iniiwan na ang Maynila,” he said. “Sila sana ang dapat magbigay ng trabaho at livelihood opportunities.”

Estrada said that instilling peace and order in Manila will be his priority in his first 100 days, in order to “bring back the trust and confidence of businessmen, even the local tourism in Manila, and that is the time we will gain back funds.”

This includes the re-organization of crucial positions of the city's police department, the elimination of “kotong cops,” the installation of CCTV cameras in business establishments, and the clearing of vendors from the streets, which causes traffic jams, he said.

“Ang panukala ko dito ay maglunsad tayo ng mga night market kung saan pwede mag-okupa ng kalye ang mga vendor para mayroon pa rin silang hanapbuhay na hindi sagabal sa traffic,” he added.

Estrada also said they would start with the clearing of the waterways to deal with Manila's constant problem of flooding.

“We will give our full attention to the dredging of our esteros and we will relocate those living there to a safer place,” he said.

Anti-kotong

Estrada said his fight against corruption will be the "centerpiece of my administration."

This includes the “clean-up” of the city's police force and "kotong cops," he added.

"Ang mga kotong cops, your days are numbered here in Manila. Your days are over in this city," he said. "Ang mahihirap ay tinutulungan, hindi kinokotongan.”

“This is a warning and a wake-up call to police officers engaged in criminal activities from kotong to drug-dealing, from extortion to protection rackets and other abuses,” Estrada warned.

He added that anyone who will use his name to evade punishment will immediately be arrested.

“Kahit kapatid ng vice mayor, huhulihin,” he joked. “Walang palakasan, that is my order to the chief of police, we must instill discipline.”— LBG/BM, GMA News