What made him run? Isko says helping Filipinos amid pandemic is what’s important

Presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco  “Isko” Moreno on Sunday said he seeks to help the Filipino people recover amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Appearing at CNN Philippines' The Filipino Votes Presidential Debate, Moreno issued this remark when asked what had made him decide to seek the presidency in this year's elections.

"Alam mo itong pandemic, teaches a lot of lessons in life and even priorities in life. Sa akin, ang importante, kayong mga kababayan, paano kayo makatatawid sa pandemyang ito," he said.

(This pandemic teaches a lot of lessons in life and even priorities in life. For me, what is important, is how our countrymen will get by this pandemic.)

"Paano tayo makapagbibigay ng trabaho doon sa apat na milyong trabahanteng nawalan ng trabaho. Yung maliliit na negosyanteng nagsara paano makaka-recover. Yung ‘wag na sana magsara," he added.

(How will we provide jobs to four million workers who lost theirs. The small businesses who've closed shop, why will they recover ... let's hope they won't close shop?) 

Moreno also backed labor leader Ka Leody de Guzman, who earlier exchanged words with Doctor Jose Montemayor Jr. over prioritizing the working class.

"And I agree with Ka Leody. Paano, mapapangalagaan ang kapanatagan ng mga empleyado? Buhay ang negosyante, hindi sila naabuso, buhay ang trabaho, panatag ang tao. Maitawid lang natin," he said.

Also present during the debate were former presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella, former Defense chief Norberto Gonzales, Senators Panfilo "Ping" Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, businessman Faisal Mangondato and Vice President Leni Robredo.

Only presidential candidate and former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. did not attend the program due to a conflict with his schedule. — RSJ, GMA News