Manila Mayor Isko Moreno (INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Saturday wrapped up his three-day barnstorming of the Cagayan Valley and Cordillera regions, receiving a warm reception which, according to his campaign, shattered the “mythical Solid North” of the Marcos family.
“I don’t know if you can call that [Solid North] an urban legend, but I am happy with the people who are showing us a warm welcome,” the Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer told reporters in Tabuk City, the last leg of his northern expedition, which included Quirino, Isabela and Cagayan provinces in the Cagayan region.
Those provinces are considered part of the political bailiwick of the Marcos clan, where former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. hopes to garner the bulk of the votes in the presidential elections in May.
“In fact, as you can see here in this region, you’ll see that even though the population is small, they came together to show that we are welcome here in Kalinga,” Domagoso said.
“So, we will continue to do so wherever it is, whether it is in Southern Luzon or Northern Luzon,” the 47-year-old former actor said.
Speaking before Tabuk farmers, the presidential candidate promised them that he would go hard against smugglers of rice, garlic, onion, and vegetables.
If elected president, he said he would call for a review of the rice tariffication law, which, he said, allowed the influx of cheap rice from abroad resulting in lower domestic prices and hurting farmers’ income.
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