‘No hard feelings for Noy’

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada bears no ill will toward President Aquino for the indictment and detention of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.

But the mayor, ousted as president in a popular revolt in 2001 and convicted of plunder six years later, said he felt that his family was being singled out by the administration.

Estrada was asked  by GMA 7 News last night if he resented President Aquino for the indictment of his son Jinggoy for plunder in connection with the pork barrel scam.

“No hard feelings,” Estrada replied as he stressed that he and Aquino are friends.

But the Manila mayor, who accompanied his son to the Philippine National Police headquarters at Camp Crame where the senator is now held without bail, said the fate of his son was just the latest in a series of actions that seemed to target his family.

He cited the inclusion of another son, Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito Estrada, in some reports naming lawmakers linked to the pork barrel scandal.

The mayor’s nephew Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito was also unseated recently as governor of Laguna for overspending during the election campaign last year.

Mayor Estrada pointed out that “about 90 percent” of candidates went over the spending limits in the 2013 campaign, with larger amounts involved.

Asked if he felt he would be the next “target” amid rumors that he would soon be unseated by the Supreme Court (SC), Estrada expressed confidence that he would keep his seat.

He explained that three disqualification cases were filed against him in connection with his bid for mayor, before the Manila regional trial court, the Sandiganbayan and the Commission on Elections. All three petitions were dismissed, he said.

Estrada asked: could all three bodies be wrong?

The petition pending with the SC argues that his pardon carries the condition that he will no longer seek public office. Estrada argues that the pardon is absolute.