By Analou De Vera
Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada expressed confidence that he will win the mayoralty race for the 2019 midterm elections.
Estrada confirmed that he will run again in the upcoming elections and is confident to win his third and last term as local chief of the capital city.
Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada
(Manila Bulletin File Photo)
“Definitely, I will run again. I have many more programs and projects to finish. Ginagawa ko na ngang araw ang gabi at ang gabi ay araw para magawa ko na maibalik ang dating ningning at kadakilaan ng Maynila. Matutupad ko ito, dahil naniniwala ako, sa ikatlong pagkakataon, muli kong kasama ang ating mga mamamayang Manilenyo,” Estrada said.
Former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and former vice mayor Francisco Damagoso, also known as Isko Moreno, are rumored to be raring to run for mayor.
Estrada said that he has beaten Lim during the 2013 and 2016 mayoral elections, and his win, according to him, proved that he "is well-loved by the Manila voters.” “Kumbaga po, wala na po tayong dapat patunayan, I have nothing to prove anymore,” he said.
"At this point, only my esteem rival, Mayor Lim has announced the plan to campaign for the mayor's office. If Mayor Lim finally decides he will seek another term, I welcome his decision," Estrada said.
Estrada also said that through his various programs and projects he initiated, he will be able to bring back the capital city's old grandeur and glory.
“No matter what happens, tuloy-tuloy lang ako sa aking trabaho… hindi ko muna iniisip ang 2019, at kahit ano pa ang maraming political events na mangyayari, para sa akin, the more the merrier. Magsitakbo na silang lahat, para masaya ang mga tao,” Estrada said.