Ong defends Moreno vs critics: He wants to win

Vice-presidential candidate Dr. Willie Ong has defended running-mate Manila Mayor Isko Moreno against critics claiming the latter's recent tirades against Vice President Leni Robredo only aims to bolster the candidacy of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

“May nababasa ako na sinasabi na kaya siya nags-statement, si Mayor Isko gusto pahinain si VP Leni para manalo si [former] Senator BBM. I don't think it’s true. Sa nakikita ko, I don't think it’s true. Talagang gusto niyang manalo,” Ong said in Mariz Umali’s report on “24 Oras”.

(I read comments that say Mayor Isko Moreno aims to weaken VP Leni so Senator BBM will win. I don't think it's true. From what I see, I don't think it's true. He [Moreno] really wants to win.)

On Thursday evening, Moreno barnstormed the town of Teresa in Rizal where he reiterated his call to fight “bullies”.

“Labanan natin yang mga bully.. ''yang mga matapobre.. Ngayon alam ko na kung bakit noong 2019 hindi kayo binoto ng dilaw dahil… Alam ko na.. Masakit pala talaga sila magsalita.. Kaya ngayon makikita nila ang rabies ng batang Tondo,” he said.

(We should fight bullies… those who look down on others. Now I know why you did not vote "yellow" in 2019. I know now. Their words hurt. Now, they’ll witness the rabies of the child from Tondo.)

Moreno’s party Aksyon Demokratiko, meanwhile, wrote to the Bureau of Internal Revenue to garnish the bank accounts of the Marcos estate to assure payment of alleged unpaid estate tax worth P203-billion. -- Sundy Locus/BAP/KG, GMA News