Remulla defends Moreno on ‘bikini’ photos: ‘He never lied, didn’t steal or kill’

Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno and Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla and FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines — Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday came to the defense of Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso amid criticism on the latter’s “provocative poses” in pictures taken in the 1990s when he was still an actor.

“Kung ako ang tatanungin ninyo? Hindi ito isyu (If you will ask me, this is not an issue). What’s important is that Yorme NEVER LIED, DID NOT STEAL, KILL nor did he ever brought shame to the great people of Manila as a Public Servant,” Remulla said in a Facebook post.

https://www.facebook.com/JonvicRemullaJr/photos/a.263478127095847/4004447342998888/

Remulla noted that the former actor did not pose for those pictures while he was a government official. He added that the mayor might have only joined showbiz in the past to help his family.

“Dahil sa kanyang pag-aartista, hindi maiiwasang maraming sensitibong larawan ang nagkalat sa internet ngayon. Ngunit lahat ng ito ay kuha noong siya ay nagsisimula pa lamang,” the governor said.

(Because of his work as an actor, there are sensitive pictures of him circulating in the internet now. But all of these were taken when he was just starting in showbiz.)

“He was very young then. I am sure the limelight was quite tempting for a young lad from a very poor background. And why not? The opportunity for him to earn a living was readily available,” he added.

He went on saying that “we were all young and foolish once.”

Remulla did not mention who was criticizing Moreno for having those pictures, but earlier on Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte in his taped public address mocked, without naming names, a Metro Manila mayor who allegedly had “bikini” images circulating on social media, deadpanning to the public if what they want for president “trained like that of a call boy.”

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque also refused to confirm if Moreno was the object of Duterte’s tirade.

“Para bagang bigla na lamang panggigipit at pilit na pang-aalipusta sa butihing Alkalde ng Maynila. Kasama na rin dito ang paglurak ng mga nakakataas sa kanyang pagkatao… Kahit kailanman ay hindi ipinagkaila ni Yorme ang kanyang nakaraan. Siya ay batang Tondo at nagsimula sa wala. Isang kahig, isang tuka,” said Remulla in his Facebook post.

(It’s like a sudden attack against the good mayor of Manila. This also comes with the smear campaign against his identity by those in high places… Yorme never denied his past. He is from Tondo and came from nothing. He had an impoverished existence.)

Back in April, Remulla and Moreno had a brief falling out after he called out the latter for saying that the local government of Naic was not helping Manila residents who were relocated in their town.

“You are not a President yet, but already you’re arrogant,” Remulla then said of Moreno.

However, Remulla said the issue was settled after Moreno called him that afternoon about the matter, and they have since patched things up.

Nonetheless, Remulla now came to Moreno’s defense, saying judgment for politicians should not be based on their past but on their track record in public service.

“Hindi tama na tapaktapakan ang nakaraan, paninindigan at reputasyon ng isang taong wala namang kalaban-laban. Ang paghuhusga ay ilaan na lamang po natin sa mga taong lumabag sa batas o siyang mga nagtraydor sa bayan,” the governor said.

(It is not right to trample on someone’s past and reputation. Let judgment be for people who violated the law and are traitors to the country.)

“Yorme did not break any laws by joining showbiz in his youth nor by posing sexy in photos,” he added. “Yorme should not be judged on such juvenile merits. Let his record of governance speak for itself.”

EDV