Francisco “Isko” Domagoso: Shuns verbal spat with rivals.
MANILA, Philippines — Instead of engaging in a new word war with Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Manny Pacquiao — fellow presidential aspirants in the 2022 polls — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno offered kind words to both officials despite their scathing accusations against him.
In a press conference after he delivered his 10-point economic agenda on Monday, Moreno was asked about the recent comments of Robredo and Pacquiao about him during an interview with talk show host Boy Abunda, where aspirants were asked why people should not vote for other candidates.
Robredo said that Moreno sometimes has no clear stand, while Pacquiao claimed that the Mayor had corruption issues.
“One, I did not watch the Vice President’s interview. So I don’t know if she said something like that, and I wish her good luck,” Moreno said.
“With regard to Senator Manny Pacquiao, we would like to thank Senator Pacquiao for giving us such honor and pride to the world of boxing. And yung dangal na naibigay sa atin ay hindi natin makakalimutan yon, so maraming salamat sa karangalang ibinigay sa atin ni Senator Pacquiao sa mundo ng boxing,” he added.
(About Senator Manny Pacquiao, we would like to thank Senator Pacquiao for giving us such honor and pride in the world of boxing. And the pride that he has given us, we will never forget that, so thank you very much for the glory that Senator Pacquiao has given us in the world of boxing.)
After the interviews with Abunda, Robredo’s answers gained controversy after she launched criticisms of the other aspirants — calling former senator Bongbong Marcos a liar and an absentee during tough situations, Senator Panfilo Lacson a person who talks a lot but has no on-the-ground action, and saying that good attitude may not be enough for Senator Manny Pacquiao.
READ: Robredo slams Bongbong, rivals in Boy Abunda’s interview
Pacquiao, on the other hand said that aside from Moreno, Marcos also had corruption issues. Meanwhile, the boxer-turned-senator said he does not know why Robredo and Lacson should not get votes.
READ: Pacquiao: Filipinos shouldn’t vote for Isko, Marcos due to corruption issues
In contrast, Moreno said that Pacquiao can get votes too because he is kind. People should pick him in favor of Robredo because she will be vengeful against the Marcoses and the Dutertes.
Moreno is one of the several aspirants vying for the presidency this May 2022, along with the four other names and labor leader Leody de Guzman. However, the local chief executive will have to face a considerable task come campaign season, as the latest surveys from Pulse Asia said he ranks third with only eight percent of the votes if elections were held from December 1 to 6, 2021.
In contrast, front-runner Marcos is first with 53 percent of the votes, while Robredo is second with 20 percent of the votes.
READ: Pulse Asia’s December survey: Marcos and Duterte-Carpio team is top choice