Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso. From his Facebook page
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso said on Saturday that the only way to solve corruption is to limit human discretion in government transactions which would simplifying government processes through digitization and automation.
“The only way to fight corruption is to limit human discretion. Then naturally corruption will die,” Moreno told veteran TV host Korina Sanchez during the Upuan ng Katotohanan – The Presidentiables segment on her weekly program Rated K.
The Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer said his administration will be serious in its anti-corruption campaign and this can be done by adapting to existing technology that would limit human discretion in every government transaction like what he did as mayor of the City of Manila.
As part of “Smart Governance” under his Bilis Kilos 10-Point Economic Agenda, Moreno vows to promote the ease of doing business in all levels of government to curb corruption. In 2019, the Philippines ranked 95 out of 190 economies in the ease of doing business.
The 47-year-old presidential aspirant will also simplify government processes by digitization and automation and by reviewing, removing or updating existing laws and prioritizing systems with evolving landscapes.
During the interview with Korina Sanchez, Moreno maintained that investing back and improving the quality of people’s lives can help save the Philippine economy which was greatly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Moreno said if people will have jobs and have the money to spend for their basic needs and even save some of it through financial institutions such as banks, things will get better in the long run.
“Let’s go back to basics muna. Tao muna. We have to invest back to the people. Kasi ‘yung velocity ng pera ‘pag gumastos ka, ang gobyerno, ‘yung velocity ng pera iikot kaagad eh. Iikot ‘yan. ‘Yon, kaya ‘yun ng gobyerno, initially,” Moreno pointed out .
“Then you start talking to people. Ang pera nila ngayon nasa bangko. I think the private sector should participate now, again,” he said.
“Life and Livelihood” policy
Just like in previous presidential forums, Moreno again vowed to pursue a “Life and Livelihood” economic policy that aims to address poverty, hunger, unemployment, inequality and social injustice through an inclusive and equitable infrastructure development program spelled out under his Bilis Kilos Economic Agenda.
He said the first two years of an Isko Moreno presidency will focus on building facilities that will provide the minimum basic needs of the people: quality housing, education, and health.
Moreno said among his priorities in his six years in Malacañang is to invest on HDI or human development index to uplift the lives of poor Filipinos especially in the rural areas in the Visayas and Mindanao where there is low HDI.
“We’ll invest on HDI, Human Development Index. ‘Yung pamumuhay ng tao o ng pamilya, itaas mo lang ‘yung kalidad ng pamumuhay, I think unti-unti papanatag ang tao, magkakaroon ng sense of pride, dignity. If we address education, healthcare, housing, and jobs. I think ‘yung kalahati dun, ikaw na,” Moreno said.
” So, you bring back dignity, putting roof, magandang eskwelahan, job opportunities, ‘pag nagkasakit sila, may maayos na pagamutang bayan. And then naturally, ‘yung pagnenegosyo. Kailangan nating buhayin ang negosyo,” he said.
If Isko Moreno wins presidency
On the question of what kind of Philippines he envisions after his six-year term ends in 2028, Moreno said it’s for the country to rise up from the economic woes. “At the very least sana makabangon tayo. Makabangon man lang,” he said.
During the interview, Moreno also reiterated his readiness to become the next chief executive of the country given his 23 years of experience in government service.
He also said that his decision to run for the presidency is because he has already accomplish all of the things he promised to do in the City of Manila.
What Moreno accomplished in the first two years as local chief executive in the country’s capital, the presidential bet intends to replicate in the entire country.
“Una, lahat ng kompromiso sa mga taga-Maynila noong nakaraang halalan, may resibo na. Kumbaga, natupad naming lahat ‘yung pangako namin tapos sumobra pa. So, we were, nung ina-assess namin parang nagulat kami. Kaya palang gawin ito in a short period of time. I cannot guarantee you a perfect government, but together we can make it better,” Moreno said.
“I took 23 years of my life, half of my life, 23 years of experience. At least hindi naman ako papahuli sa academic background kahit papano naman I tried to equip myself. Ito gagamitin nating lahat. Experience sa Maynila, experience sa paggu-gobyerno, dealing with people, trying to be reasonable with them,” explained Moreno.
In the more than two-decades he was in public service, Moreno said there were also those who accused him of wrongdoing but the cases filed against him didn’t prosper. “I have always been accused of something. Salamat sa mga taga-Maynila, pinanindigan nila ako,” he said.
When Moreno first entered public service as city councilor at age 23, Moreno was only a high school graduate. He pursued higher education to gain knowledge and polish his skill, subsequently earning a degree in Business Administration at the International Academy of Management and Economics (IAME).
Moreno continued with his post-graduate studies at the Harvard University under the Executive Education Program and Strategic Leadership Program at the Oxford University.
Moreno also had two years of law school at the Arellano University and Local Finance at the University of the Philippines’ National College on Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG).
Moreno said in a pandemic situation which the country is currently dealing with, it’s important for a leader to set a goal. “In a pandemic situation like this, there is no playbook, no? I don’t want to point fingers on all the things… or the situation right now kasi hindi naman lahat kasalanan nila. May mgs kasalanan din naman ang ilan, lahat tayo may obligasyon. We have to set our goal,” he said.
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