Erap, Lim trade barbs using Asiong Salonga, Andres Bonifacio

Former President Joseph Estrada and incumbent Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim apparently did not spare the 149th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio from their word war. On Friday, Bonifacio Day, Estrada and Lim — contenders for the mayoralty post in Manila next year — used Bonifacio and notorious criminal Nicasio "Asiong" Salonga to trade barbs. In his speech delivered at the Manila City Hall, Lim said it was unfortunate that a movie was made about Salonga, a known gangster in Manila that faced a string of charges before his death. "Itong Asiong Salonga, baka 'di nyo alam, nasentensyahan ito, pumuga sa city jail naaresto sa illegal possesion of firearms, robbery with homicide at iba-iba pa," he said. "Ito po ang record hanggang sa napatay siya ng kanyang kaaway sa kanilang partihan sa panghoholdap. Ito po ang tunay na Asiong Salonga.” Lim, a former police official, added he will not let any  more "Asiong Salongas" roam Manila. Estrada, who portrayed Salonga in a film in 1961, took offense in Lim's statement. "Yung pelikula ko, box office. Samantalang siya dalawang pelikula sa buhay niya eh nilalangaw. Mas malakas si Asiong Salonga," Estrada told reporters at the sidelines of the oath-taking of the members and supporters of the Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) in Manila. "Paanong mamamayagpag [yun] eh malilimutin na ba siya? Matagal nang patay si Asiong Salonga," he added, claiming the crime rate in Manila increased during Lim's term. The Asiong Salonga movie was remade in 2011, starring Jeorge "E.R." Estregan, Estrada's nephew, as the leading role. On Bonfacio Lim, in his speech, said Manila residents should instead celebrate the life of Manila-born Bonifacio. "Kung hindi po naghimagsik si Andres Bonifacio sa Pugad Lawin hanggang ngayon nasa ilalim pa tayo ng mga Kastila," he said. "Pinatunayan ni Andres Bonifacio at ng Katipunan na ang Maynila ay dakilang lungsod ng Pilipinas, higit sa alinmang matatandang siyudad na itinayo ng mga Espanyol," he added. Estrada, meanwhile, compared himself to Bonifacio. "Hindi siguro nagkakalayo ang kapalaran namin ni Gat Bonifacio sapagkat ang malalaking tao, mga burgis, mga mayayaman ang nagsama-sama para alisin si Gat, para tanggalin din siya sa puwesto bilang supremo,” said Estrada, whose presidency was cut short in 2001 following a mass uprising. At that time, he was facing an impeachment trial at the Senate for plunder. “Mabuti po ako naging presidente kahit hindi ako nakatapos ng termino ayon sa Saligang Batas.  Si Bonifacio po dahil mga elitista ang bumoto sa Tejeros Convention hindi po pinayagan manungkulan kahit maging secretary man lang ng interior," Estrada added. "Si Bonifacio inaresto rin, na-convict din at hindi lang ikinulong, na-execute pa...sa ilalim ng command ng isang nangangalang Major Lazaro Macapagal.  Ako naman po ay na-convict at ikinulong din sa ilalim ng administrasyon ng isang Macapagal din kaya pareho ang sinapit namin ni Gat Andres Bonifacio," he further said. Estrada also noted that both he and Bonifacio were both born in Tondo, Manila.  — KBK, GMA News