Mayor Isko Moreno delivers his second State of the City Address in Manila City Hall, Manila on July 2, 2020. RICHARD A. REYES / INQUIRER file photo
MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Thursday said that he left the National Unity Organization (NUP) to search for a new political party that prioritizes the welfare of the people rather than a single person.
This came after Moreno resigned as vice chairman for political affairs and member of the National Unity Party, ahead of filing candidacies for the 2022 national elections.
His local party, Asenso Manileño, was also tied to NUP.
“Dahil napabalita na baka sumama sila kung kanino man, eh kami naman iba ang pananaw namin sa Asenso Manileño, So para naman maging kagaangan sa’ting mga kasama na malaya silang makapamili kung sino tutulungan nila,” said Moreno in an interview over DZRH news when asked why left NUP.
(Because it was reported that they might join someone, we, the Asenso Manileño, have different views, so it will be easier for our allies if they are free to choose who they will help.)
“Kami naman, maghahanap naman kami ng partidong sa tingin namin nangingibabaw ‘yung kapakanan ng taong bayan, hindi ng isang tao lang,” he added.
(We, on the other hand, will look for a party that we think prioritizes the welfare of the people, not just one person.)
Moreno is set to join the Aksyon Demokratiko party, founded by the late former Senator Raul Rocco, who himself ran but lost the presidential race to former President Joseph Estrada in the 1998 elections.
He was supposed to take his oath on Thursday afternoon but decided to put off the ceremony as several vaccination hubs were flocked by thousands of people in Manila, resulting in overcrowding which was feared to cause a “super spreader” event.
Moreno explained that he was grateful to Aksyon Demokratiko because it had the same goals and direction as his local party.
“I’m very grateful to Aksyon Demokratiko, kasi nung naguusap yung partido namin yung asenso Manileño at ‘yung partido ng Aksyon Demokratiko, mukhang bagay ‘yung direksyon. Kasi MBN kami eh, minimum basic needs ang Asenso Manileño,” Moreno said.
(I’m very grateful to Aksyon Demokratiko, because when our party, Asenso Manileño and Aksyon Demokratiko, were talking, the direction seemed compatible. Because Asenso Manileño prioritizes minimum basic needs.)
Before leaving, Moreno was a part of the NUP for about six years. The NUP also backed the Manila mayor’s failed senatorial bid in 2016.
Meanwhile, Moreno has yet to say whether his transfer to Aksyon Demokratiko would mean he will be running for a higher post in the 2022 national elections.
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