Isko unbothered by El Shaddai endorsement, poll surveys

Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko" Moreno is not bothered by the endorsements received by his opponents in the presidential race in Eleksyon 2022, saying the endorsement of the Filipino public is the most important.

The presidential candidate issued the remark when asked for comment after Catholic charismatic group El Shaddai endorsed the tandem of former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

“Ang pinakamahalagang endorsement na gusto kong makuha ay si ordinaryong Juan dela Cruz, si Petra, si Maria, yung mga tao sa kalsada, yung mga tao sa bahay, yung mga taong tunay na sasali upang iluklok ang kanilang pangulo,” Moreno said Sunday.

(The most important endorsement that I want to receive is from the ordinary Juan dela Cruz, from Petra, from Maria, the people on the streets, in their homes, the people who will truly vote for their president.)

“So yun ang gusto kong endorsement, endorsement ng taong bayan. I am not bothered, basta ang importante, andiyan ang taongbayan, nandiyan yung silent majority, nararamdaman namin sila, masaya na po kami,” he added.

(This is the endorsement I want, the endorsement of the people. I am not bothered. What's important is that the public is there, the silent majority is there, we can feel them. We are happy.)

Moreno cited the welcome he has received during his motorcades, where he said he is given food, water, flowers, and religious items.

Due to this, he said he is also unfazed by the recent poll surveys.

Moreno said he will leave it to the people to judge.

“Basta ako magtutuloy-tuloy tayo, walang susuko, tuloy ang laban, at tayo’y maghahanap ng mga tunay na solusyon at mabilis na aksyon na siyang kapakinabangan ng tao,” Moreno said.

(For my part, I will continue, no one will give up, the fight will go on, and we will look for real solutions and fast actions that will benefit the public.)

Marcos had topped the latest Pulse Asia survey at 60%, followed by vice president Leni Robredo at 16%, while Moreno tied with Senator Manny Pacquiao at 8%. The survey was conducted from January 19 to 24, before the start of the campaign period.

Nonetheless, Moreno said he is open to all kinds of support.

“I’m always open to help. I need all kinds of help. Kailangang-kailangan ko ng tulong, at naniniwala ako na hindi pa huli ang lahat hanggang sa araw ng eleksyon. Kung tutulong yung mga religious organizations, it will be welcomed,” he said.

(I need help, and I believe it is not yet too late until the day of the elections. So if religious organizations will offer help, it will be welcomed.)

Cash aid for Cavite fire victims

In a separate statement, the Manila Mayor also vowed to provide cash assistance worth P8 million to 790 families affected by a fire that hit four barangays in Cavite over the weekend.

Moreno said each household whose residence was destroyed by the fire will receive P10,000 in cash from his personal fund and donations.

“Sana makapagbigay kami ng konting pag-asa at tulong upang makabalik na kayo agad sa inyong lugar, na maramdaman ninyo na may kapwa Pilipino na nagmamalasakit po sa inyo,” Moreno said during his visit at the Ladislao Diwa Elementary School.

(I hope this will help you and give you hope to return to your homes, that you will feel that you have fellow Filipinos who care for you.)

Moreno was accompanied by his vice presidential running mate, Dr. Willie Ong, and Aksyon senatorial candidates Dr. Carl Balita, Samira Gutoc, and Jopet Sison.

According to the statement, Moreno has been giving cash assistance to fire victims since he became a Manila councilor. —KG, GMA News