Isko to continue prexy race as 'supreme sacrifice', nixes backdoor talks with 'hostile opponents'

PORAC, Pampanga — Presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno on Wednesday said he will continue his bid for the presidency and will not entertain backdoor talks with “hostile opponents” as Eleksyon 2022 nears.

Asked about those urging him to commit the supreme sacrifice to give way to Vice President and fellow presidential candidate Leni Robredo, Moreno said candidates who are no longer growing may be better suited for withdrawal.

The Manila mayor said his “supreme sacrifice” is his continued campaign.

“Despite misimpression, misperception, or perception or impression that the other side of the river is doing and creating in your eyes, in your mind. This is the sacrifice. I’m going to sacrifice myself to address ‘yung problema ng taong bayan (the problem of our countrymen),” Moreno said in an ambush interview in Porac.

"If you want peace of mind, available ako (I am available). I get things done. I’ll do the job. Wala akong babawian, wala akong paghihigantihan, wala akong babalikan (I won't take anything, I won't do revenge or get back at anyone),” he added. 

The Aksyon Demokratiko bet was also asked about the supposed feelers sent to his camp for talks urging his withdrawal from the presidential race.

“I don’t do back door sa isang hostile na opponent. You know for a fact that they’ve been attacking us in their GCs,” Moreno said.

“Meron pa sila ano May 1, May 1, ano ‘yan susuko na ‘yan. May 1 susuko na ‘yan tapos ia-appoint ‘yan na DILG,” he added.

(They also say he will withdraw by May 1. He will withdraw and then he will be appointed as the [chief] of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.)

Moreno reiterated that he will retire should he lose the elections.

“I don’t know saan nila kinukuha ‘yun but I think they’re holding on, holding on to the soft supporters by creating an impression, perception, and creating that they’re the only candidate who is against Marcos,” he said.

(I don’t know where they are getting that, but I think they’re holding on to the soft supporters by creating impressions, perceptions, and creating that they’re the only candidate who is against Marcos.)

Moreno also called on the rest of the candidates to also commit the supreme sacrifice and continue their respective campaigns.

“I hope they get the message. Kung ako sa kanila (If I were them), they do the supreme sacrifice also,” he said.

Meanwhile, Moreno said he respects the choice of One Cebu after its formal endorsement of the presidential bid of former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

“Maraming salamat kay [Cebu] Governor Gwen Garcia, kay One Cebu, dahil maraming beses kami nakaikot at tinulungan naman nila kami. And I respect their choice. Pero… 20 day plus pa. Ano man tigas ng bulalo, lalambot din ito,” he said.

(Many thanks to [Cebu] Governor Gwen Garcia, to One Cebu, because we were able to visit the province many times and they helped us. And I respect their choice. But there are still more than 20 days [left before the May 9 elections]. No matter how solid one's stand may be, there is still a chance it will change.)

Cebu 3rd District Representative Pablo John Garcia said he was stepping down as One Cebu secretary-general following the party's endorsement as he maintained his support for Moreno. —KG, GMA News