ERAP, MANCAO MEET AT PARTY; NO HANDSHAKE FROM
ERAP
[PHOTO
AT LEFT - Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio shows ex-police colonel Cesar Mancao (second
from right) to his seat at the same table as former President Joseph Estrada
during Topacio’s birthday party at the Nipa Hut restaurant in Pasig City Monday
night. BOY SANTOS | MANILA, Philippines]
MANILA, NOVEMBER 12, 2009 (STAR) By Non Alquitran - Former President Joseph Estrada, who was linked to the Dacer-Corbito murder case, sat at the same table with his accuser, ex-police colonel Cesar Mancao, at a birthday bash of a lawyer in Pasig City Monday night.
Estrada and Mancao did not talk, but raised their hands to acknowledge each other’s presence.
Both Estrada and Mancao said they would have skipped the birthday party of lawyer Ferdinand Topacio had they known in advance they would meet there.
Topacio is the lawyer of Mancao and the transport group Pasang Masda, which listed Estrada as its honorary chairman.
In his testimony before a Manila court, Mancao claimed a certain Bigote gave orders for the “silencing” of publicist man Bubby Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito.
It is widely believed that Mancao was referring to Estrada.
The former president arrived early at the Nipa Hut restaurant in Barangay Ugong, Pasig City. He was slated to receive an award for being the honorary chairman of the transport group Pasang Masda, headed by Obet Martin.
A few minutes later, Mancao arrived without his security escorts.
Mancao said he did not expect to meet Estrada at the party, but said he was ready to extend his hand in friendship to his former boss, should Estrada wish it. “My conscience is clear and I am just telling the truth,” he said.
Estrada said he sees nothing wrong should he and Mancao shake hands because he has already forgiven Mancao for linking him to the Dacer-Corbito murders.
“If I was able to forgive and shake hands with (former Ilocos Sur governor) Chavit (Singson), who testified against me, I would be able to forgive him as well,” he said, adding he, too, was surprised to see Mancao at the party.
In his speech upon receiving the award, he gave credit to the role jeepney drivers play in the country’s growth.
After delivering his speech, Estrada hurriedly left to attend the birthday party of Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, his running mate in the 2010 polls.
Mancao left minutes later, with no handshake from Estrada.