Aspiring president Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso in Malabon City on Thursday, December 9, 2021. | Contributed photo
MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, should he emerge victorious in the upcoming presidential race, is considering appointing fellow candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson as an anti-corruption czar of his administration.
Moreno said this when he was asked in an ambush interview on Wednesday about what his first executive order would be — to which the mayor replied by saying that he invites people to join his government based on merits, and regardless of whom they supported in the elections.
Pressed further about who among the present presidential candidates he can work with, the local chief executive mentioned Lacson.
“Meron, eh for example, ayaw ko namang pangunahan ‘yong resulta no, for example si Senator Ping Lacson. Si Senator Ping Lacson is an asset of the country, that I guarantee, kasi meron siyang particular skillset na kapaki-pakinabang para sugpuin ‘yong isang suliranin ng ating pamayananan, ng ating bansa,” he told reporters in Laguna.
(I have names on my mind, for example, I don’t want to preempt the results, but for example, Senator Ping Lacson. He is an asset of the country, that I can guarantee, because he has a particular skill set, which can be of use, as he can fight one of the pressing problems of the country — corruption.)
“And I do believe he is qualified and I will cross the bridge when I get there kasi hindi ko naman alam kung papalarin ako o baka naman siya ang palarin, o ‘yong iba ang palarin,” he added.
(And I do believe that he is qualified and I will cross the bridge when I get there because I do not know whether I would win, or maybe he would be victorious, or if other candidates would be elected.)
Moreno explained that if he and his running mate, physician Willie Ong manage to win in the May 2022 polls, they would be busy addressing problems within the sectors of health and livelihood.
This is why having Lacson, a veteran lawmaker known for standing up against irregularities in the country’s budget, would be a great help for their government.
“Alam mo isa sa pinaka-maganda talaga, ay labanan ang mga korapsyon, sa dami ng mga po-problemahin ng pangulo ng bansa sa kabuhayan, kasi nag-commit na kami sa taumbayan na in the next first two years of six years, ang focus namin ni Doc Willie, buhay at kabuhayan,” Moreno said.
(You know, one of the best things to have someone who can fight against corruption, because with the many things and problems that a president needs to address — because I and Doc Willie have already committed to the people to focus our first two years in the next six years to health and livelihood.)
“And I think with all the problems ng ating bansa, kailangan ko ng katulad ng qualities ni Senator Ping Lacson to address corruption and discipline in the government. We will never know, I will cross the bridge when I get there, ayaw kong pangunahan kasi hindi ko naman mahuhulaan ‘yong resulta ng eleksyon. But as you have said, theoretically, that’s going to happen,” he added.
(And I think with all the problems of our country, I would need someone with the qualities of Senator Ping Lacson to address corruption and discipline in the government. We will never know, I will cross the bridge when I get there, I don’t want to preempt things because I cannot predict the results of the election. But as you have said, theoretically, that’s [appointment] going to happen.)
INQUIRER.net has sought the side of Lacson regarding Moreno’s remarks, but the senator has not replied as of posting time.
Moreno and Lacson are both vying for the presidency, along with eight other candidates. If recent surveys are to be believed, both are facing an uphill battle, as Pulse Asia’s recent poll showed Moreno ranking fourth with only eight percent of the respondents picking him, while Lacson wounded up at the fifth slot with four percent.
Above the two candidates are Senator Manny Pacquiao (eight percent), Vice President Leni Robredo (16 percent), and former senator Bongbong Marcos (60 percent).
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