Before heading to his 80th birth anniversary party last Wednesday night at the historic landmark Manila Hotel, President Duterte fired off a joke about sending former President now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada back to jail.
The President delivered laughs when he talked about his payback against Estrada for underestimating him during the presidential elections.
“Si Erap naghihintay na ang buang sabi niya, ‘Punta ka na ha.’ Tapos sabi, ‘Wala iyan si Duterte. Wala iyan low class.’ Ano ha balik kita sa kulungan,” Duterte said, eliciting laughter from the crowd attending the “Cine Lokal” launch in Pasay City.
After the launch of the film festival, the President attended Estrada’s birth anniversary to extend his best wishes to the Manila Mayor.
Duterte reportedly delivered remarks during the closed-door event but the Presidential Communications Operations Office declined to release the video or a copy of the President’s speech to the media.
The Palace instead issued a press release stating the President had extended his birth anniversary greeting to Estrada as well as discussed his efforts to fight drugs and corruption during the celebration.
Duterte also reportedly talked about his campaign against oligarchs as well as peace initiatives in Mindanao.
“The President promised to go after the country’s abusive oligarchs, particularly those who are not paying the
correct taxes,” the Palace statement read.
“The government’s peace talks with the communists and Muslim separatists are ongoing, he also said, as he warned about the threats from Islamic extremists,” it added.
Other high-profile guests of Estrada were former President now Pampanga Rep. Gloria M. Arroyo, former Vice President Jejomar Binay, former First Lady now Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos, and former Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada also attended the event after being given a six-hour furlough by the Sandiganbayan. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)
