November 10, 2000, The Philippine Star, 500 mayors sign manifesto of support for Estrada, by Cecille Suerte Felipe,

November 10, 2000, The Philippine Star, 500 mayors sign manifesto of support for Estrada, by Cecille Suerte Felipe,

President Estrada ordered the immediate release of the cash gifts and 13th month pay of government employees throughout the country. The good news was announced by the Chief Executive during a special meeting of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines at Club Filipino in San Juan yesterday.

  
Mr. Estrada also told the assembled municipal mayors the P41-billion internal revenue allotment (IRA) of local governments will be released next January. "The IRA share (of local governments) would be released for development projects in the local level even without the approval of Congress," he said. 

The mayors signed a two-page manifesto expressing their support to and confidence in the President and vowed to "uphold, respect, and protect the Constitution and democratic processes." In the manifesto, the mayors said they prefer that Mr. Estrada face the impeachment proceedings in Congress rather than resign as demanded by anti-Estrada groups. 

"Until proven beyond reasonable doubt, the allegations against President Estrada are baseless and fabricated lies," read the manifesto. Of the 550 mayors who signed the manifesto, 210 were from the Visayas; 186 from Luzon; and 154 had come from Mindanao. 

Marihatag, Surigao Mayor Librado Navarro, vice president of the League of Municipalities, said President Estrada still enjoys the confidence of the majority of the country's municipal mayors. "Some of our mayors failed to come here because of their problem in accommodation," he said. "But still they are rallying behind the President." 

In the same venue yesterday, more than 600 municipal mayors from the different regions, including members of the opposition Lakas-NUCD- UMDP, joined the Partido ng Masang Pilipino, the President's original political party. At a mass oath-taking ceremony, the mayors declared their support for the Constitution and Mr. Estrada, and rejected the opposition's call for the Chief Executive's resignation. "(The anti-Estrada groups) clearly betray and totally disregard the will of the people," read the omnibus resolution which the mayors unanimously approved. 

"Under his (Estrada) presidency, local governments have realized full local and fiscal autonomy; and actually collaborated and coordinated with national government agencies in the effective delivery of basic services as in Cost- Sharing with the Department of Public Works and Highways." 

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza urged anti-Estrada groups to support the Constitution and not to make the economy the justification of their call for President Estrada to resign. "They are pitting the economy versus the truth," he said. On the other hand, Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn said the voice of the people in the provinces has been completely disregarded by "a few groups" whom he accused of trying to divide the nation. 

Calbayog City Mayor Reynaldo Uy said although mayors in Samar belong to different political parties, they have decided to rally behind Mr. Estrada and urged him to reject the calls for his resignation. However, Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan Mayor Carlito Zaplan told The STAR yesterday 45 town mayors from Pangasinan boycotted yesterday's meeting of the League of Municipal Mayors because of the alleged "cold treatment" from San Juan Mayor Jinggoy Estrada, the league's president. 

Meanwhile, Francis Pangilinan, founding chairman of the National Movement of Young Legislators, called on the citizenry yesterday to be vigilant of President Estrada's possible impeachment trial at the Senate. – With Pia Lee-Brago, Eva de Leon