MANILA - What happens when two "macho" men meet?

One is bound to lose his cool and composure.

That’s what happened at the Kapihan forum in Manila Hotel on Monday where former President Estrada and former Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane sat down together for the first time to discuss their platforms of governance.

Other presidential wannabes were also invited to the forum organized by senior journalists, but only Estrada and Ebdane came.

The tension between the two began early when Estrada ignored a handshake offered by Ebdane before the forum started. Reporters observed that Estrada appeared to have woken up on the wrong side of the bed.

The forum started with the usual questions on platforms of governance and priority programs once elected to Malacañang.  The two candidates dutifully answered the warm-up questions.

Estrada brags about tack vs MILF

It was not until the secessionist movement in Mindanao when tensions rose.

Estrada bragged the secessionist problem was almost wiped out during his abbreviated term of office.

Estrada had declared an all-out war in 2000 against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which led to the capture of the rebel group’s main camp in central Mindanao.

At one point, Estrada was even photographed in full battle gear, engaged in a "boodle fight" with the soldiers to uplift their morale.

Estrada said Mindanao holds the key to food security, and if elected again as president, he would make the region the country’s food basket.

Food security lecture?

Ebdane, who also served as defense chief, countered that the Mindanao problem is not as simple as waging a military offensive, saying “it is a political problem that requires political solution.”

He said that “an all-out war” solution to the secessionist problem should also include “economic and socio-political approaches.”

Ebdane then segued into addressing food security, arguing that it was not as simple as providing farmers with fertilizers. He said the appropriate technology should be tapped to increase food production.

It was at this point that Estrada interrupted Ebdane.

“Ano ba ito, lecture sa patanim?” an annoyed sounding Estrada said. “I thought we’re here to discuss platform of government.”

Apparently defending his tough stance against the rebels, Estrada said the protracted ceasefires and peace talks with the MILF have been futile so far.

“If we negotiate, it should be on the position of strength,” he stressed.

Ceasefires with the MILF, he noted, have sent mixed signals to the military, leading to their “very low morale,” Estrada said.

Estrada annoyed

In an ambush interview, Ebdane observed Estrada got annoyed when he started talking about “specific programs.” He said he could not do anything if Estrada felt annoyed.

He added: “I was about to add something about the insurgency but I held my tongue to avoid offending other people’s feelings.” 

College students at the forum also observed that Estrada lost his composure. They said Ebdane provided more concrete solutions than Estrada.

Ebdane, a first-timer in a presidential forum, however, could not totally restrain his tongue.

To revive the economy, Estrada batted for a robust tourism program. To bring in the tourists and investors, he said the peace and order situation should be first addressed.

But Ebdane added that government should also lay a solid groundwork to lure tourists and attract investors by investing in good road networks and telecommunication facilities.

“We should provide the resources to put up their business here,” Ebdane said.

No handshakes

At the end of the forum, the two quickly went their separate ways, still not exchanging handshakes.

College students quickly mobbed Estrada for photo opportunities, while Ebdane answered additional queries from the press.

The two aspirants are not in good terms. When Estrada was president, Ebdane was put on a floating status for several months.

Ebdane was identified with the camp of losing presidential candidate former House Speaker Jose de Venecia in the 1998 national race.