Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno bared Friday his plan to run in the 2022 national and local elections but added that the post he is eyeing “remains to be seen.”
Moreno made the remark as his name was floated as a possible candidate for president or vice president. His name is also circulating as a possible re-electionist Manila mayor.
“Busy ako sa pagka-mayor. May obligasyon ako sa mga taga-Maynila. I would rather focus on that until the last day na magde-desisyon ako and I’m going to be fair with our people… magpapaalam ako sa kanila,” Moreno said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel’s Headstart.
(I am busy with being mayor. I have an obligation to the residents of Manila. I would rather focus on that until the last day I make a decision and I’m going to be fair with our people. I will let them know.)
“Kung anumang [position] yun, that remains to be seen but definitely I am running. ‘Yun na lang ang masasagot ko,” Moreno added.
(Whatever position that may be, that remains to be seen but definitely I am running. That’s all I can say.)
Moreno was among the names that President Rodrigo Duterte had mentioned as his possible successor, according to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
Moreno is also included in the choices of the 1Sambayan coalition as a possible presidential candidate to challenge the current administration in the 2022 elections.
While Moreno admitted being excited by the endorsements, he said the decision to run will be his own.
“If and if I am going to decide, I am going to decide on my own, not because I am being endorsed by somebody, or I am being endorsed by another group. No, I will decide kung sa tingin kong pwede ako as option,” Moreno said.
(If and if I am going to decide, I am going to decide on my own, not because I am being endorsed by somebody, or I am being endorsed by another group. No, I will decide if I believe I can be as an option.)
“Kasi I don’t want to be part of divisiveness. I don’t want to be divisive because masyadong polarized. It’s either ganitong kulay ka pag ganito ang sinabi mo. Pag ganitong kulay ka, ito ang sinabi mo… My point is I will decide on my own when the right time. For now, I will not entertain,” he added.
(I don’t want to be part of divisiveness. I don’t want to be divisive because it’s too polarized. It’s either you are this color or that if you say this and that. My point is I will decide on my own when the right time. For now, I will not entertain.)