Isko camp on IM Pilipinas alleged shift to rival: Isang tao lang nagsalita

The campaign manager of presidential candidate Francisco “Isko” Moreno on Tuesday downplayed the supposed shift of support of a group previously endorsing the Manila mayor to another candidate, saying this has been denied by other members.

On Monday, Ikaw Muna Pilipinas Visayas lead convenor Nick Malazarte endorsed Vice President Leni Robredo, saying she can prevent the return of the Marcos family to power.

“Isang tao lamang ‘yung alam naming nagsalita, ‘yung si Mr. Malazarte at meron namang statement ‘yung karamihan nung Visayas for Isko… at ‘yung iba pang mga grupo sa Cebu na dine-deny ‘yung claim ni Mr Malazarte, na siya ay nag iisa lamang,” Lito Banayo said in an ambush interview.

(He is just one person, Mr. Malazarte, and the other members there issued a statement that they are still for Isko. The other groups in Cebu also denied the claim of Mr. Malazarte.)

Banayo said the Isko camp is not sure how many shifted to Robredo.

He also said that did not receive any letter from Malazarte.

“No, we did not receive any letter… In fact, I was checking with City Hall, baka kasi doon pinadala ‘yung letter as of 5:30 p.m. yesterday, wala naman natatanggap ‘yung sekretarya ni Mayor Isko (maybe they sent the letter there but as of 5:30 p.m. yesterday, Mayor Isko's secretary has yet to receive any),” he said.

The campaign manager also said the IM did not say they would withdraw support.

“Ang sinasabi nila sana magkasama-sama ang lahat ng mga kandidato maliban kay Ferdinand Marcos Jr… para maging parang one on one ang contest, 'ika nga (They're saying the candidates should unite against Marcos so that the contest will be one on one),” he said.

However, Banayo also said he believes unity talks will not prosper as what is being proposed is to unite under one person.

Banayo was asked if unification against the son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is still possible on their side.

“If you remember, si Senator Ping Lacson nagsabi din na noong bago mag-file ng certificate of candidacy, nag-usap sila ng isang kandidata, at nag-offer siya ng unity formula. Pero sabi nung kandidatong ‘yun basta nakapag-file na siya hindi na siya pwede umatras, kaya niya inayawan ‘yung offer,” he said.

(If you remember, Senator Ping Lacson said before filing his COC that he talked with a certain candidate and offered a unity formula. But that candidate said that once he or she filed the COC, he or she can no longer back out so the offer was rejected.)

“So sa madaling salita, pinag-uusapan natin dito, kung itutuloy natin ito ay magkaisa tayo para sa isang tao. Eh, hindi naman ‘yan tama,” he added.

(In other words, we're talking about uniting for one person. I don't think that's right.)

According to Banayo, Moreno and running mate Willie Ong are running for the people.

“Ano ba ang pinaglalaban ni Isko Moreno at ni Doc Willie? Pinaglalaban namin precisely ay ‘yung hindi kami lumalaban dahil kontra kami dito or kampi kami dito sa faction na ito,” he said.

(Isko Moreno and Doc Willie is fighting for what? We are not fighting for or against this or that faction.)

“Lumalaban kami because pinaglalaban namin ‘yung karapatan ng ordinaryong tao, ordinaryong mamayan na magkaroon ng mas mabuting buhay, mas mabuting kinabukasan (We are fighting for the right of ordinary people to have a better life, a better future). It’s about people,” he added.

Banayo stressed that their election run is not about “warring factions” or “exclusivist factions who think they are morally upright compared to the rest of humanity.”

He also said the Philippines is under a multi-party system and not a two-party system, something Moreno has been pushing for.—AOL, GMA News