MANILA, Philippines — Presidential aspirant Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Thursday said that he is willing to sit down with President Rodrigo Duterte to talk if given a chance, amid his remarks that he his hoping to get the endorsement from the Chief Executive.
During his visit to Pampanga on Thursday, Moreno — long rumored to be a “secret candidate” of Duterte — said that the latter’s support, much like that of any other individual or organizations, would be most welcome considering his lack of political machinery and background, coming as he did from an impoverished family.
“Wala pa naman, wala pa naman. Kasi lagi akong nasa labas, Manila-labas, Manila-labas, wala pa naman,” Moreno told reporters in Mabalacat town when asked if there is already a scheduled meeting between him and Duterte.
“But if there is a chance, yes of course, he is the president, he will be the president until June 30, with all the powers, mandate, and authority reside in that office, nasa kanya pa ‘yong mandato ng tao,” he added.
He further said that at the moment, he is busy with his work as incumbent mayor of Manila, or meeting with different kinds of people.
Duterte’s advocacies
Moreno said that he is supportive of Duterte’s advocacies that are geared towards helping the people and ending the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Bilang pangulo at ako’y bilang mamamayan — that’s one, second bilang Mayor ng Maynila na kapitolyo ng bansa na kapitbahay ng Malacañang, kung meron akong maipaglilingkod kay Pangulong Duterte, tutulong na lang ako. Pero ‘pag tungkol sa mga problema ng tao, kung ano mang ibang bagay okay din ako, listening,” he said.
“Nakikipag-usap nga ako sa utaw eh, eh sa Presidente pa. Kumbaga, parang we will ano, support all the way whatever is there as a national policy with regards the policy,” he added.
Moreno also gave a message to Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, who has decided to withdraw from the 2022 presidential race. According to Moreno, Go might have had a difficult time in deciding whether he should run for president or just bow out to unite administration forces.
Still, he said that Go, being a senator, is very welcome if he has projects that would help the people of Manila.
“And I wish Senator Bong Go na maging panatag ang buhay niya, mahirap din ‘yong pinagdadaanan ni Senator Bong Go. Hindi natin alam kung ano ang naging desisyon niya sa buhay, pero ‘yan ‘yong mga mabibigat na desisyon. So all I can say is I wish him well, ligtas siya,” Moreno said.
“Anyway senador pa rin natin siya, bahagi pa rin siya ng lingkod-bayan, so in our own little way ‘pag may programa siya sa Maynila, eh welcome po sa Maynila Lahat naman ng tulong tinatanggap ko sa Maynila, tao, tao, tao. Straightforward. Tutulungan mo ako, thank you… Kung sino man ang tutulong sa akin, thank you in advance,” he added.
Last October 8, on the last day of filing of certificates of candidacy, Moreno again maintained that he is not Duterte’s bet for the 2022 polls, saying that he is running under Aksyon Demokratiko, while PDP-Laban’s pick back then was Go.
However, Moreno has also signified that he is willing to work with the opposition, aside from making pronouncements that side with critics of the administration. Last September, Moreno criticized former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque for claiming that the former was engaging in politicking when he advocated for more medicines instead of face shields.
Moreno also said that he can work even with Vice President Leni Robredo — another presidential bet for the elections. It can be remembered that Robredo even launched unity discussions with Moreno in hopes of forging a single opposition slate for 2022.