Heated Debate-Mayor Lim and Erap Estrada, traded insults on Air via Umagang Kay Ganda (VIDEO included)

A heated debate between former President Joseph Estrada and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim turned ugly Tuesday as the two candidates for Manila mayor traded insults on air via ABS-CBN's morning show Umagang Kay Ganda.

The Umagang Harapan face-off became rowdy as supporters of the two candidates cheered both politicians.

Estrada, who won the presidency in 1998, said he pitied Lim and appointed him Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government after the latter placed fourth in the 1998 presidential race.

Erap Estrada said Mayor Lim betrayed him when he joined the so-called EDSA Dos revolt that deposed Estrada in 2001 due to corruption allegations.

The former president said he forgave Lim when the latter visited him in his Tanay resthouse in 2004 and allegedly begged his forgiveness. He said Lim was crying when he asked that he be included in the opposition senatorial lineup of Fernando Poe Jr.

For his part, Lim denied weeping in front of Estrada and begging his forgiveness. He said he would never cry in front of Estrada whom he described as a liar and a criminal.

He also said Erap Estrada used the same insult against Sen. Francis Escudero when he said the senator wept and begged his forgiveness.

Lim admitted abandoning Estrada during the EDSA Dos revolt because he was accused of getting billions of pesos in tobacco excise taxes and jueteng kickbacks. Estrada was later convicted of plunder by the Sandiganbayan but was pardoned by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

On Birth certificate

Estrada also challenged Mayor Lim to produce his birth certificate after the mayor said he was born in Tondo.

Lim then turned the tables on Estrada, saying that the former president should quit the race if he produces his birth certificate.

Estrada said Lim should not be too fast in issuing a challenge, to which Lim retorted: “E sinungaling ka e.”

The former president then merely pointed out Lim did not have his birth certificate with him. He then poked fun at Lim: “O naiiyak na e.”

Lim then told the audience: “See, he’s lying in front of you. He said I was crying when I am not. Galit na galit ako sa kasinungalingan niya.

The mayor also took up the challenge that he would resign if it is proven that he ordered the arrest of Manila Vice-Mayor Isko Moreno during a bingo game. He said he didn’t even know about Moreno’s arrest until later that day.

The sins of their sons were also dragged during their debate. Please watch the video for more details of Umagang Harapan encounter of Mayor Alfredo Lim and former President Joseph Estrada.