Mayor Isko says move to Aksyon Demokratiko was to avoid being a 'problem' in former party

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Friday said he does not want to be a "problem" in the National Unity Party (NUP) in the months leading to the 2022 elections.

Moreno said this in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB in justifying his decision to leave NUP in favor of Aksyon Demokratiko.

"Ayoko namang maging problema pa ng partidong aking kinabibilangan kung hindi naman tayo naniniwala doon sa itutulak nilang kandidato," he said.

(I don't want to be a problem in the party especially if we don't agree on the candidate to support.)

Earlier reports said NUP is seeking an alliance with Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), regional party of Davao Mayor Sara Duterte, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte.

A recent Pulse Asia survey showed Sara Duterte leading the possible presidential contenders in the 2022 elections with 28%, followed by Moreno with 14%.

Asked on why he chose to move to Aksyon Demokratiko, Moreno said he sees "something good" in the party.

"Mayroon po kaming magandang nakita at puwede naman na... 'di ba tayo chairman ng partido sa lokal dito, 'yung Asenso Manilenyo? Nila-lineup lang natin sa bagong partido na ating sasamahan," he said.

(We saw something good in the party that we could line up Asenso Manilenyo, may local party.)

Aksyon Demokratiko, founded by the late Senator Raul Roco, has Moreno's friend, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, as executive vice president.

Moreno was supposed to take oath with Aksyon Demokratiko on Thursday afternoon, but it was canceled amid vaccination concerns in Manila that he needed to address.

Aksyon slams show cause order vs. Isko

Meanwhile, Aksyon Demokratiko slammed the issuance of show cause order to Moreno, saying that it was a form of harassment that undermines the gains reaped by Moreno's leadership in Manila.

"This 'laban-bawi' issuance is also signature proof of the level of incompetence percolating some units in government," Aksyon Demokratiko said.

"This further underlines the importance of meritocracy instead of political accommodation in the appointment of government functionaries," it added.

Moreno was supposed to take oath with Aksyon Demokratiko on Thursday afternoon, but it was canceled due to vaccination concerns in Manila that he needed to address. — KBK/RSJ, GMA News