MANILA Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada and incoming Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso had a most cordial meeting in the mayor’s office at City Hall last Monday.
“We organized this turnover ceremony to assure our people that the transition process in Manila will be smooth and respectful as it should be,” Mayor Estrada said. “Mayor Moreno and I both respect the democratic process. Tapos na po ang halalan. Magkaisa na tayo para sa ating minamahal na lungsod.”
“Thank you for the warm welcome,” Mayor Moreno responded in Pilipino. “This only shows how broadminded our incumbent mayor is. I am happy. We are grateful.”
This has been a bitter election campaign for many candidates, for such is the nature of our local elections, much more so than those for national positions. It is in local elections, especially for mayor and governor, that voters get more personally involved. Aside from local government programs and projects, the personal interests of candidates, their relatives, and their closest supporters get involved.
It is in local governments where political dynasties in the Philippines are most evident, with members of powerful families succeeding one another as mayor or governor or congressman. The Estradas are themselves one such extended political family, with members having held government positions in various cities and provinces, as well as national positions.
To his great credit, Mayor Estrada has quickly accepted the results of the last mayoralty election in Manila, very likely saying, as in setbacks in the past, “Pa-weather weather lang yan” – the distinctive Erap version of “Pana-panahon lang yan.”
And so last Monday, he welcomed new Mayor Isko Moreno whom he asked only to carry on what he said were the most important programs of his administration – the Manila Dialysis Center, student scholarships, and gifts for senior citizens. Moreno, in turn, assured he will do his best to maintain the programs as he launches his new programs for the city.
Mayor Erap and Mayor Isko have set a good example for all our officials, national and local, who battled one another last May 13. The elections are over. Time to go to work.
