Erap scolds Noli: Show compassion for poor

Television and radio anchorman Noli de Castro has to look back at his past and show some compassion to poor street vendors, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said yesterday.

The mayor was reacting to De Castro’s attacks against the city government for its alleged failure to clear the Black Nazarene’s procession route of street vendors.

De Castro, who has been participating in the annual “traslacion,” said vendors had always made it difficult for devotees to go through the procession smoothly.

Estrada dismissed the news anchor’s complaints as a minor concern.

“We have been clearing vendors along the route of the Black Nazarene’s procession but they keep coming back. Why? Because they want to earn money so they may provide food on the table for their respective families,” he told The STAR.

Estrada said he could not blame the vendors because they just wanted to earn money legally.

“They are just working. This Noli de Castro, just because he has tasted comfort in life, he has already forgotten his humble beginnings. He should look back at his past,” he said.

“What has he done while he was still vice president? What has he done as Pag-IBIG Fund chairman? Nothing,” Estrada added.