Erap on Duterte: No finesse

MANILA, Philippines - A known womanizer, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada yesterday urged presidential aspirant and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, a self-proclaimed “chickboy,” to show more finesse in dealing with women.

Meeting with The STAR editors and reporters, Estrada said that while many women have also been linked to him, “I have finesse when it comes to that.”

“My life is an open book and I never hide anything… you (have to) respect women,” Estrada said.

The 70-year-old Duterte, who is seeking the presidency under the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban, has publicly boasted that he is a womanizer.

Duterte has been likened by many to Estrada who is known for having many women. Both are not fluent in English but make fun of their language difficulty. The two also project
themselves as anti-crime advocates.

The Davao City mayor admitted having two wives and two girlfriends and he had been photographed hugging and kissing women in public events.

“He just copied it from me, even in terms of chicks (girls). The difference between us is he doesn’t have the finesse,” Estrada said.

According to Estrada, Duterte is a “local” who is not fit to run in a national position like the presidency.

“I think he is just for local (politics) where he can bully his constituencies. It’s really different in national politics,” Estrada said.

“It’s very local. If you are running for president, you should have finesse. He is just copying me but I have finesse,” he jested.

Estrada added his kumpare, Vice President Jejomar Binay, enjoys top preference among the presidential candidates despite the many issues raised against him.

“Many cases have been thrown at Vice President Binay, but he remained on top. I respect Mar having been one of my best Cabinet members. He was responsible for the proliferation of call centers in our country,” Estrada said, referring to administration and Liberal Party standard bearer Mar Roxas.

During the lunch meeting, Estrada recalled his resolve in ending the Muslim rebellion in Mindanao during his presidency.

He said he wanted to end the decades-old Muslim rebellion and decided to launch an all-out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in 2000.

He said he wanted an end to the loss of lives in the effort to talk peace with Muslim rebels. – Jose Rodel Clapano, Mike Frialde