Erap leaving city hall with P14-B fund

MANILA, Philippines — Outgoing Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada is leaving the city hall with P14 billion in funds due to what he described as the efficient management and prudent spending of taxpayers’ money.

“On June 30, my 50 years in politics will come to an end with sterling colors of honesty and genuine public service,” Estrada said yesterday. “I am not ashamed to step down from office because we have paid the city’s P4.4-billion debt of the previous administration.”

Estrada served as Manila mayor for two consecutive terms.

The local government renovated the six public hospitals in the city to better serve Manileños under his leadership.

Estrada said he is hoping for the success of the new administration of Mayor-elect Isko Moreno.

“There’s a life after politics. I congratulate the new mayor and I wish him all the best for the good of the people of Manila,” Estrada said.

He called on his supporters to back the leadership of Moreno.

“The people of Manila have spoken. I will lead a smooth turnover of the city government,” Estrada said.

Estrada’s lawyer, George Garcia, said the mayor is no longer pursuing a poll protest. 

But Garcia said he was instructed by Estrada to monitor the manual audit of votes in Manila by the Commission on Elections.