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Isko Moreno announces presidential bid in Eleksyon 2022

By JOVILAND RITA,GMA News

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Wednesday formally announced he is running for president in the 2022 elections.

Moreno, whose real name is Francisco Domagoso, made the announcement in front of his supporters at Baseco Compound, one of the poorest areas in Manila.

"Kaya buong kababaang-loob inihahayag ko sa inyo mga kababayan ko, sa darating na Mayo, tanggapin niyo po ang aking aplikasyon bilang pangulo ng Pilipinas," he said. 

(I now humbly ask you, my countrymen, this coming May, please accept my application to become president of the Philippines.)

Moreno promised that his administration would be transparent and would not resort to manufactured opinions and false praises.

"Hindi ko pagtatakpan ang katotohanan [I will not hide the truth], neither will I manufacture opinion and false praises. But when assaulted with lies, I believe that the truth, not the trolls, will set you free," he said.

Should he win, Moreno vowed to be a "healing president," saying his government will be one of "reconstruction" and "national reconciliation."

"While ours will be a government of reconstruction, it will also be a government of national reconciliation based on justice and rule of law," he said.

He added that he would not blame past administrations the problems that his administration would encounter.

"We can only move forward in our road to recovery if we are not consumed and immobilized by the rearview mirror politics," Moreno said.

Running-mate

Moreno also introduced his running-mate, Dr. Willie Ong, a former senatorial candidate. 

"100% ang suporta ko sa 'yo, ipinagdarasal ko lang magawa mo lahat," Ong said in his speech, addressing Moreno.

(I support you 100%. I pray that you achieve all your goals.) 

Ong said Moreno convinced him to run as his vice president even after he initially turned down the offer.

"Tumawag siya ulit kahit tumanggi na ako. Ang sabi niya, 'Hindi ka na puwedeng senador doon sa lineup ko. Gagawin na kitang vice president'," he said.

(He called me again even though I already refused. He said, 'You will not be running as senator in my lineup. I will make you my vice president.) 

Grace Poe

Meanwhile, Moreno's campaign manager revealed that Senator Grace Poe was the first choice to be the Manila mayor's running mate in 2022.

Interviewed on ANC, Lito Banayo said they “tried hard” and had several meetings with the senator but she refused to take the offer.

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"Hindi naman namin tinatago na talagang first choice namin si Grace Poe (We are not hiding that Poe was actually our first choice)," he said. 

"She did not agree, principally because I guess one, the personal relationship between her family and Senate President Tito Sotto that weighed on her decision. So what do we do then?" he added.

GMA News Online has reached out to Poe for her comments but she has yet to reply as of posting time.

Banayo made the statement when asked how they will address the supporters of Isko-Grace tandem who felt disappointment and lost enthusiasm for the mayor's candidacy.

He pointed out that some people have the wrong notion that a person needs to be experienced in governance to be a good governor.

"But how many people who had long experience in governance turned out to be worse than lemons. It's not that," Banayo said. "Looking at the person, seeing the goodness in that person, knowing how to harness the expertise and the goodness in that person. Doc Willie Ong is not an ordinary doctor." 

Early supporters

Among those who already expressed support to the Moreno-Ong tandem were Senator Ralph Recto and his wife, Batangas Representative Vilma Santos-Recto.

"Mayor Isko has the training, skills, experience and leadership to be an outstanding president. He has shown this as mayor of Manila, most especially during this pandemic," Recto said.

"He is young, energetic and implements his programs quickly. He will make a good president," he added.

The senator also said One Batangas, their local party, is  supportive of the Moreno-Ong tandem.

Santos-Recto, for her part, said Moreno "is an inspiring  and God-loving leader and we can see his drive to serve the Filipino people with a heart, hope and action."

Recto, meanwhile, said if his wife runs for senator, she will be with Moreno and Ong. The congresswoman will decide by September 30.

For his part, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, who will run as Senator Panfilo Lacson's runningmate in the 2022 polls, said "The more, the merrier. More to choose from."

House Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez also backed Ong's vice presidential bid, noting that he is a decent man whose heart is in the right place.

"He truly cares for his fellowmen, and he has never wavered in his quest for a good government responsive to the needs of Filipinos," Romualdez, whom President Rodrigo Duterte had said he will support if he decides to run for vice president, said.

Meanwhile, according to Romualdez's camp, Ong informed the House leader that he will leave the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), where Romualdez is president. —KBK/RSJ, GMA News