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.