Aksyon Demokratiko to bare Eleksyon 2022 bets by September, support Isko’s possible prexy bid

Aksyon Demokratiko will announce its official candidates for the 2022 national and local elections by September, committing its support to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno should he decide to run for President.

The party’s secretary-general, Ernest Ramel Jr., said this on Wednesday as he disclosed the party’s decision to keep its line of communications open with other possible 2022 presidential candidates, except for those who are aligned with the Duterte administration.

“The party may have its announcement probably September or late September,” Ramel said in an interview on CNN Philippines.

He disclosed that Aksyon Demokratiko already had talks with Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Panfilo Lacson and his potential running-mate Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

Ramel said it is “natural” for the party to hold meetings with Robredo as they have supported her vice presidential bid in 2016.

Senator Manny Pacquiao has also reached out to the party but they were not able to set a meeting due to the medical condition of Aksyon Demokartiko’s late chairman, former Tarlac Representative Herminio “Hermie” Aquino. 

Ramel said the party is still open for possible alliances with Pacquiao.

Despite talks of possible alliances and endorsements of other possible presidential bets, Ramel said they would prioritize Moreno should he run for the country’s top post as he is a member of the party.

“The lines of communication is open with presidential wannabes and we talked to a couple of them… Of course, Mayor Isko joined us. Ang sabi ko nga (like what I've said), when and if he decides, it will be a priority of the party. A broader alliance is very important and well I’m going to say this categorically but we are not talking to anybody identified with the administration,” Ramel said.

“The mayor has not categorically said anything about running for President or Vice President,  but of course, when that happens, the party will surely back him up," he added.

Moreno has already signed his oath and has been considered as a party member since August 5, he said. 

Ramel did not rule out the possibility of Moreno holding a position in Aksyon Demkratiko, noting that the chairmanship is now vacant due to the demise of Hermie Aquino.

Furthermore, Ramel clarified that Aksyon Demokratiko is not identifying itself with the Liberal Party—which is now considered as the opposition.

“We are the choice of not the DDS-Dilawan thing but we are right there. We are offering ourselves to the rest of Filipinos regardless if you’re Dilawan, DDS, or opposition,” he said.

Aside from the possible presidential candidates, Ramel said the party is also talking with other possible senatorial candidates who might run under Aksyon Demokratiko.

Defending Moreno

On the other hand, Ramel said Aksyon Demokratiko decided to come up with a statement defending Moreno as they felt that President Rodrigo Duterte alluded to Manila as the local government unit "disorganized" in terms of cash aid distribution.

Ramel said it is “quite unfortunate” that Duterte resorted to personal tirades against the Manila mayor’s past, adding that it is “uncalled for.”

“Although the President did not name, he talked about the background of this mayor in the past and I think of all the NCR mayors, si Mayor Isko Moreno lang naman ‘yung may ganoong background o nakaraan (Mayor Isko Moreno was the only one who has that background) and the mayor has been open about this,” Ramel said. 

“It is just unfortunate that the attacks are very personal and something that should have not been brought up in an avenue such as his meeting, late night address,” he added.

During his weekly public address, Duterte said: “Kayong mga Pilipino, huwag kayong magpaloko diyan sa mga padrama magsalita pati kung...nakita ko nga sa Facebook kanina, lahat nang nakabikini ang g*** tapos may isang picture pa doon na sinisilip niya 'yung ari niya. Iyan ang gusto ninyo? Ang training, parang call boy. Iyan ang training ng Presidente, maghubad at magpa-picture at magsilip, magyabang sa kanilang ari.”

Duterte did not mention any names but Moreno, Francisco Domagoso in real life, is a former model for undergarments and an actor long before he was elected to public office.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday denied that Duterte attacked Moreno.

Likewise, Duterte's spokesperson denied that the President stripped the Manila local government of authority to distribute cash aid to lockdown affected communities amid COVID-19 pandemic due to supposed incompetence.

Duterte said Monday night that he instructed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Social Welfare and Development to take over the cash distribution duties of a 'certain LGU' due to lack of organization.

The DILG on Tuesday morning said it has not received any instructions yet from the Malacañang regarding the stripping of the cash aid distribution duty of a certain local government unit.

On late Tuesday night, however Moreno said the Manila Department of Social Welfare will start the cash aid distribution on Wednesday, August 11.

Moreno is ranking second to third in pre-election polls on possible 2022 presidential bets which was dominated by presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. —KG, GMA News