Erap: We're not a dynasty in San Juan City

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has defended the candidacies of his former partner, Mayor Guia Gomez, and the rest of the Ejercito-Estrada clan members who will run for various seats in San Juan City next year, noting that family is not building a political dynasty.  

 

Estrada, who had been a San Juan City mayor for over 20 years, said his relatives will be presenting themselves in the election and not merely appointed. 

 

"Ang dynasty minamana at pinapamana 'yung position. Ito hindi kasi taumbayan ang namimili eh. Isa lang naman layunin namin sa mga taga San Juan subok na matibay, subok na matatag. Ang aming mga pangako ay tinutupad," Estrada told reporters Wednesday night. 

 

In her speech during the so-called Unity Convention at San Juan City on Wednesday, Gomez took a swipe at her former allies, the Zamoras, for calling on her constituents to end the alleged dictatorship and political dynasty in the city.  

 

"Tila wala na 'ata sa hulog ang mga ito. The mere fact that they will contest our leadership through an election, it means democracy in San Juan is alive and vibrant," Gomez said.

 

"Ang kapangyarihang kaakibat ng pagiging Punong Lungsod ay produkto ng halalan. Dalawang halalan na kasama ko sila at alam nilang mayorya ng ating mga kababayan ang may pagnanais na tayo ay makapaglingkod. Hindi ito produkto ng sinasabi nilang 'diktadurya' o 'paghahari'," she said. 

 

She said the Zamoras' companions were placed in power in San Juan City when Estrada was ousted during the 1986 EDSA Revolution. 

 

Former executive secretary and now San Juan City Rep. Ronaldo Zamora was the one who abandoned Estrada when the ex-President was again kicked out of Malacanan in 2001, Gomez said. 

 

Zamora's son, San Juan City Vice Mayor Francis Zamora, is expected to run against Gomez in next year's mayoralty race. 

 

Aside from Gomez, Councilor Janella Ejercito, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada's daughter, will run for Vice Mayor while Jana Ejercito, a former city councilor and first cousin of Sen. JV Ejercito, will seek a congressional seat.