Moreno says he relates to Ukraine leader's experience, would follow example if war breaks out

Presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Saturday said he could relate to the life of Volodymyr Zelensky, a former actor turned president of Ukraine who is now defending the country's capital amid the Russian invasion.

Moreno, who rose to fame in the entertainment industry before going into politics, said he could relate to Zelensky's experience of being labeled "just an actor."

Zelensky, a former comedian, scored a landslide victory in Ukraine's presidential election in 2019.

"Naramdaman ko rin 'yan noong araw. Siyempre may prejudice, hindi mo naman masisisi. Katulad ng ibang lawyers or professionals na nasa gobyerno rin may pumalpak din sa kanilang iilan," Moreno said.

"Katulad naming mga artistang nasa gobyerno, marami ring palpak sa amin sa public service. Kaya hindi mo masisisi ang taong bayan na ma-associate ka sa mga artistang politiko na hindi pinagbuti 'yung trabaho," he added.

Moreno said that if elected president, he would launch a war on poverty rather than a physical conflict.

"Pero ito ang assurance ko sa inyo, may awa ang Diyos, sa tulong ng Diyos at taong bayan at naging presidente ako at Vice President si Doc [Willie Ong]... Basta, hindi ko man iniisip na magkagiyera, ako hangga't maaari ayoko sumali tayo sa anumang uri ng giyera, kasi ang gusto kong giyera 'yung labanan natin 'yung hirap ng tao, 'yung hapdi ng sikmura, 'yung kapanatagan sa pamumuhay ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino. 'Yun ang giyerang gusto kong pasukin," he said.

However, if a war breaks out, Moreno said he will follow in the footsteps of Zelensky, who stayed in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, to command a strong resistance to Russian forces.

"One to, one to sawa tayo... Alam mo ang ginagawa ni Zelensky is worth emulating. Bagay na gayahin ng mga lider. Na ang isang lider hindi duwag, hindi nagtatago, hindi natatakot at sinasamahan ang kaniyang mga mamamayan at nauunawaan niya ang sitwasyon ng kaniyang mamamayan," he said.

Moreno pledged to be with the Filipino people in times of difficulty, including calamities and disasters. 

"Now, hindi ako matapang. Meron din akong karuwagan sa buhay. Takot ako sa karayom, takot ako sa multo, takot ako sa height. Pero may mga bagay naman akong hindi inaatrasan. Lalo na kung ikaw na ang involved bilang mamamayan. I'll be with you," he said. — VBL, GMA News