Cebu City-based IM Pilipinas backs Isko Moreno for president in Eleksyon 2022

A group dubbed as Ikaw Muna (IM) Pilipinas Cebu City was launched Wednesday to push Manila Mayor Isko Moreno as its presidential candidate for the 2022 elections.

"We want Mayor Isko Moreno to run for President because of the good things he did in Manila, and he can copy and paste such efforts across the country, including Cebu," Nicholas Malazarate, Regional Coordinator for IM Pilipinas in Region 7 and 8.

"He understands the plight of the urban poor, as he was once a poor boy who earned minimum wage. Cebu [city] will deliver for Isko Moreno," Malazarte added.

Malazarte was referring to Moreno's past as a boy who collected scraps, if not garbage, to make ends meet.

Moreno was later discovered to be an actor and a model before being elected as Manila councilor, Manila vice mayor and finally as Manila mayor in 2019.

IM Pilipinas Cebu City members from the urban poor ranks Delia Catamco and Marvil Elbing, for their part, said they hope Moreno will seek the presidency in 2022 and that Moreno's affordable housing in Baseco, Manila be replicated in other cities.

Others who expressed the same call were IM Pilipinas Cebu City members from the transport, OFW, women and lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender sector.

"I see the changes he made in Manila, and it stirs a renewed hope. He puts the country before himself," Sheena Abubakr, an OFW, said.

IM Pilipinas Cebu City chapter later adopted a resolution supporting Moreno's possible 2022 presidential run.

The Resolution, read by IM Pilipinas Cebu City member Nilo Dinaunao, hailed Moreno as someone who will restore the dignity of the Filipino being a good example of what a leader should be.

IM Pilipinas National Convenor and former Transportation Undersecretary Tim Orbos, for his part, noted that Moreno's experience in addressing traffic and urban settlement in Manila equips him well for the presidency since these are the same issues that need to be resolved in cities across the country.

Cebu province, including Cebu City, has the largest number of registered voters of around three million. Next year's elections is set on May 9 but the filing of candidacy is scheduled during the first week of October.

Moreno, however, has yet to decide if he will run for president in 2022.

Moreno is currently confined in Sta. Ana Hospital in Manila after testing positive for COVID-19. — RSJ, GMA News