Isko Moreno says he has no presidential plans for 2022

Manila City Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso -- included as one of the possible presidential bets in 2022 in a recent survey --said Sunday he has no plans of seeking higher office in government.

Domagoso said he is focused on efforts against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and the vaccination expected later this year.

"Wala po," he said in an interview on CNN Philippines when asked if he had any plans to run for president.

Domagoso placed third in a recent Pulse Asia survey which found that 12% of respondents would vote for him if the May 2022 presidential election was held during the period of the survey.

Davao City Mayor and and President Rodrigo Duterte's daughter Sara was the top contender with 26%, followed by Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos and Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares who tied at second with 14%.

"Thank you very much but let us just go back to reality. Reality is there's a pandemic and we -- those names who were included in that survey -- should continue to focus on the pandemic. I think the most important thing nowadays is what are we going to do today, what [are] our plans today, and what we are going to do in the next first quarter and the incoming vaccine," Domagoso said in the same interview.

"I think 'yun muna siguro ang mahalaga, more than political growth or career growth. Hindi ko talaga siya ine-entertain. I would rather focus on Manila and focus on the pandemic. If we can offer a lot of things to ease the burden, the effects of this pandemic on the lives of every family in the City of Manila, then I will do so 'yun muna ang talagang naka-focus ako," he added.

As of Saturday, January 02, 2021, the Philippines reported a total of 476,916 confirmed cases of COVID-19. This includes 439,942 recoveries, and 9,253 deaths. —LBG, GMA News