Isko Moreno warns barangay officials against bribery, extortion

MANILA, Philippines — Two weeks before assuming office, Manila Mayor-elect Isko Moreno Domagoso warned village officials involved in bribery to shape up.

Domagoso said he had requested Brig Gen. Vicente Danao Jr., Manila Police Director, to buy more handcuffs for officials who will be arrested.

“Hindi namin papayagan ang mga barangay officials na nangongotong sa mga maliliit nating kababayang manininda sa kalye, naghahanap buhay sa tatlong gulong (We are not going to allow barangay officials to extort money from street vendors),” he told reporters.

He acknowledged, however, that some sidecar drivers and street vendors are the cause of traffic in some areas in Manila. He said traffic enforcers have even requested to pull them out of the streets.

“Nakikisuyo tayo, lumuluwag naman. Laki ng linuluwag ng kalye ngayon (We are asking for understanding, the traffic situation in our streets is better now),” he said. (Editor: Eden Estopace)