Aksyon Demokratiko candidates led by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and running mate Doc Willie Ong hold the “Blue Wave” caravan prior to the party’s proclamation rally later in the day. Contributed photo
MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso remains undeterred by supposed endorsements given to his rivals by various organizations and religious groups because he truly believes that he is on the way to getting the most important endorsement of all – the endorsement from the Filipino people.
“Ang pinakamahalagang endorsement na gusto kong makuha ay si ordinaryong Juan dela Cruz, si Petra, si Maria, yung mga tao sa kalsada, yung mga tao sa bahay, yung mga taong tunay na sasali upang iluklok ang kanilang pangulo,” said Moreno Sunday in an interview before “Team Isko” proceeded to motorcade around Pasay City.
“So yun ang gusto kong endorsement, endorsement ng taongbayan. I am not bothered, basta ang importante, andiyan ang taongbayan, nandiyan yung silent majority, nararamdaman namin sila, masaya na po kami,” he added.
The 47-year-old presidential aspirant made the statements when asked about his reaction after the religious group after El Shaddai endorsed the presidential bid of former senator and namesake of Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Moreno said he remains unfazed because his heart is always filled with warmth and gratitude in seeing the genuine and unbridled heartwarming support he and his fellow Aksyon Demokratiko candidates get from the ordinary people, or the so-called silent majority, wherever they go.
Since Day 1 of the official campaign period, the Aksyon Demokratiko presidential bet has been mobbed by droves of people – of all ages and of all walks of life – ignoring the heat and screaming and cheering while jostling for position in the crowded streets just to express their full support behind him.
“Nakita niyo naman, ipinagpapasalamat ko, yung taongbayan mismo ang gumagastos pag nagmo-motorcade kami. Binibigyan kami ng pagkain, tubig, rosary, mga religious items, bulaklak, gumagastos talaga sila. So, very heartwarming,” Moreno said.
Moreno said it is this support from the people that also leaves him unfazed amid recent poll surveys that purportedly show him lagging behind, because for him, the final judge will be the people.
“I will leave it to you to judge. I will always leave it to the people. Hayaan ko na lang ang tao ang humusga. Kailangang-kailangan ko ng tulong, mahirap itong laban ko. Pero lumalakas ang loob ko nga kapag yung mga tao talaga ay very warm yung pagsalaubong sa atin,” he said.
“Basta ako magtutuloy-tuloy tayo, walang susuko, tuloy ang laban, at tayo’y maghahanap ng mga tunay na solusyon at mabilis na aksyon na siyang kapakinabangan ng tao,” Moreno said.
Having said that, Moreno said he is open to all kinds of support he can get, including endorsements from any group, due to the enormity of the challenges that his campaign faces that include being an underdog to being a candidate without a political pedigree to speak of, among others.
“I’m always open to help. I need all kinds of help. Kailangang-kailangan ko ng tulong, at naniniwala ako na hindi pa huli ang lahat hanggang sa araw ng eleksyon. Kung tutulong yung mga religious organizations, it will be welcomed,” he said.
“Kaya pipilitin ko na abutin ang taong bayan, abutin ang tao sa lalong madaling panahon, sa maraming pagkakataon, magsisikap akong mabuti na makarating sa kanilang mga lugar,” said Moreno.
And just like what happened in Manila, Rizal, Laguna, Navatos, Malabon and Quezon City, Sunday’s Team Isko-Doc Willie motorcade in Pasay City saw residents coming out in droves from their homes and places of work to cheer and express their full support for Moreno and Ong.
Everywhere Moreno’s motorcade proceeded, thousands of screaming and cheering supporters warmly welcome him with open arms as they jostle for position in the crowded streets, all trying to shake or just touch the hands of the charismatic presidential candidate.
“Ang taongbayan ang nagbibigay sa akin ng lakas ng loob sa laban na ito, sampu ng aking mga kasamahan, sila Jopet Sison, Samira Gutoc at Carl Balita at ang aking partner hanggang sa dulo, Doc Willie Ong,” he said.
“Kaluwagan at kagaanan sa buhay ng tao, yun ang gusto kong gawin. May awa ang Diyos, sa tulong ninyo, ang buong bansa, simula Visayas, Mindanao at Luzon, ang tao pantay-pantay. Equal opportunity, level playing field. Pantay-pantay ang antas ng pamumuhay sa panahon ng pag ako’y mabibigyan ng pagkakataon na maglingkod bilang pangulo,” Moreno said.
Moreno, if elected president, vowed to address the perennial problems of poverty, hunger, unemployment, inequality and social injustice in the country by focusing on providing the minimum basic needs of the people – housing, education, health care and jobs – through the efficient and prudent management of government resources. These form the main pillars of his 10-Point Bilis Kilos Economic Agenda.
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