Sen. Grace Poe (Screen grab/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe was the original choice to be the running mate of Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, who declared his vod for the presidency in 2022, the mayor’s campaign manager said Wednesday.
“Hindi naman namin tinatago na talagang first choice namin si Grace Poe (We do not hide the fact that our first choice is Grace Poe). We tried very hard. Several meetings, even Zoom meetings with her when she was out of the country,” Lito Banayo, Moreno’s campaign manager, said when interviewed on ABS-CBN News Channel.
Poe, however, did not agree with the partnership, said Banayo.
“She couldn’t, she did not agree, principally because I guess one, the personal relationship between her family and Senate President Tito Sotto that weighed on her decision,” he added.
City of Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso (Photo courtesy of Manila PIO)
Moreno is set to make a formal announcement of his presidential bid this Wednesday.
Manila Public Information Office chief Julius Leonen has confirmed that Moreno’s running mate would be online personality and physician Dr. Willie Ong.