MANILA, Philippines — Presidential aspirant and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Monday said he will vote for President Duterte in the 2022 Senate race and would even go as far as endorsing him.
Moreno told reporters in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu that he will vote for four senatorial aspirants — the three in his Aksyon Demokratiko slate – Samira Gutoc, Carl Balita, and Jopet Sison, as well as President Duterte.
“I’m going to vote for him personally, I’m going to endorse him kung papayag siya, I’ll be honored. I’ll be humbled and honored na umoo si Pangulong Duterte. Nakuha ko nga siyang iboto, hindi ko pa ba makuhang siya’y i-adopt (I will vote for him, why can’t I adopt him, too?),” Domagoso said.
“It is definitely an honor for me if the President will accept my invitation for him to be an adopted senatorial candidate of Aksyon Demokratiko,” Domagoso said.
“Well syempre, gusto kong madagdagan kami, bakit hindi but for now I’m happy with the three senators today na under Aksyon Demokratiko. But then again as I have promised you, everyone, that I am willing to work with anybody. With that, basta ako naman meron na akong tatlong kandidatong senador, pero hindi ibig sabihin tatlo lang ang iboboto ko,” he added.
(Of course we want to have more candidates in our Senate slate, but I’m happy with the three we have right now under Aksyon Demokratiko. But it does not mean I will only vote for the three candidates.)
President Rodrigo Duterte
When asked why he was voting for Duterte, Domagoso said that the public cannot discount what the President has done for the country, adding that he is very qualified for the Senate.
“Bakit hindi? I think, well hindi natin pwedeng tawaran ‘yong kanyang kakayanan, he is a qualified candidate for the Senate, in fairness to him. Basta ito personal choice ko ha. In fairness to him, kami, for example, sa mga nagawa niya para sa Maynila, ‘yang Clark Airport,” Domagoso said.
(Why not? We cannot question his capabilities. This is my personal choice. I cite what he did for the City of Manila, plus the Clark Airport project.)
“Makikinabang dyan mga tiga Maynila din, kasi gumawa ‘yan ng Clark-Malolos-Tutuban train, nakita ko ‘yon when we were in Malolos, nakita ninyo ‘yong train, tagos ‘yon hanggang airport. So that’s for us. ‘Yong Skyway. Kumbaga sa dami ng ginawa ni Pangulong Duterte, siguro naman sa labing dalawang senador, hindi naman kalabisan na iboto natin siya bilang senador?” he added.
(The people of Manila will benefit from the projects he initiated, the Clark-Malolos-Tutuban railway, the Skyway.)
Domagoso also praised President Duterte for initiating the three-day National Vaccination Drive.
“Let’s give credit where credit is due. President Duterte has so many accomplishments. And I believe that he can be an effective senator since through legislation, he can ensure that his legacy will institutionalized,” said the Manila mayor.
Domagoso was in Lapu Lapu City as guest of honor during the flag raising ceremony in front of the City Hall.
He was warmly welcomed by city officials and employees led by Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan, Vice Mayor Selci Sitoy and members of the City Council.
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