MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Wednesday vowed to be a “healing president” should he become the country’s next chief executive in 2022.
During a speech at the Baseco Compound in Manila where he publicly announced his presidential bid, Moreno said his government will be a “government of reconstruction and national reconciliation” amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Ang plano natin ay parang bandila ng Pilipinas na ating hahabihin mula sa hibla at mga sinulid na manggagaling sa inyo. I will be a healing president,” said Moreno.
(I plan to implement a leadership that is like sewing the Philippine flag from threads that will come from you. I will be a healing president.)
“While ours will be a government of reconstruction, it will also be a government of national reconciliation based on justice and rule of law. Hindi ko isisisi sa nakaraan ang problemang ating kakaharapin (I will not blame the problems we will face to the past leadership). We can only move forward in our road to recovery if we are not consumed and immobilized by the rearview mirror politics,” he added.
Meanwhile, Moreno also vouched for his character, saying he was never rude and that he never cursed God.
“Opo, lumaki akong busabos ngunit hindi ako naging bastos. Bagamat balot ako ng dumi sa katawan, ni minsan hindi ko kailangan sabunin ang aking bibig,” he said.
(Yes, I grew up poor but I was never rude. Even if I was covered with dirt, I never had to wash my mouth with soap.)
“Ni minsan hindi ako nagtampo sa Diyos, hindi ko siya minura, hindi ko siya tinalikuran, at ang kanyang mga alagad, hindi ko inalipusta,” he added.
(I never turned my back on God. I never cursed him. I never insulted his disciples.)
Moreno likewise promised to listen to criticism should he win as the next president.
“I will welcome criticism because the value in listening to complaints is they lead to better policies and improved services. I believe people should speak truth to power rather than for power to threaten the people for speaking the truth,” he said.
The Manila mayor said he will soon release the programs that he wants to implement once he becomes president. He said many of these programs have been tested in Manila.