Faces of the News: Isko Moreno

Manila’s “Yorme” (Mayor) Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso earned the ire of senators late last week when he challenged them to set aside their political differences and instead focus on combating the new coronavirus pandemic.

He also called on government officials to donate their salaries to provide aid for those affected by the health crisis.

“Where are you? My fellow [Manila] citizens and I are looking for you. You’re always opposing things because you’re pushing your political interests,” he said.

Senate President Vicente ”Tito” Sotto did not take kindly to the criticism and roundly called out “arrogant local officials who use efforts to help their constituents for their political ambitions.”

In a separate Twitter post, he said pointedly: “It’s not our mandate to repack rice and sardines with a complete PR [public relations] team around.”

Sen. Panfilp “Ping” Lacson was as direct. Their job as legislators was to pass laws, he said, adding that under the Bayanihan Act, the government can now provide financial aid to poor families, including those from the City of Manila “because senators worked hard and spent sleepless nights even with the threat of COVID-19 so we can pass the [law].”