‘Untimely and premature’: Isko declines feelers from LP to join alliance

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. INQUIRER.NET PHOTO/CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Tuesday called any political and coalition talks “untimely and premature” in rejecting preludes from the Liberal Party’s (LP) to join a united coalition.

Senator and LP President Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said in an interview that Moreno is one of the candidates to which the opposition is reaching out for the “broadest unity possible” in the 2022 elections.

READ: Pangilinan says LP making efforts to reach out to Lacson, Isko, others

“Wala muna akong ine-entertain na mga political na bagay,” (I don’t entertain political things for now),” Moreno told reporters in a message thread when asked for his comment on Pangilinan’s statement.

“All talks of coalition or any political talk [are] untimely and premature,” he added.

Moreno said his current focus is on his duties as the head of Manila.

“I am focused on vaccinating 1.1M Manilenos in our 22 centers with the available doses we bought plus what the national govt will give us,” the mayor said.

“Looking forward, hinahanda ko ang Manila para sa ‘bounce back’ na inaasahan nating mangyayari pag naka herd immunity na tayo,” he added.

(Looking forward, I am preparing Manila for a ‘bounce back’ that we expect once the herd immunity is achieved.)

An earlier invitation from 1Sambayan to be one of its possible candidates for the 2022 elections was also turned down by Moreno, said former Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, a convener of the opposition coalition.

READ: Nancy, Isko asked to pull out of 1Sambayan nomination, says Carpio

abc