FILE PHOTO: President Rodrigo Duterte (left) and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno (right). INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — The camp of Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Wednesday distanced itself from the sobriquet Duterte 2.0 or Duterte Lite given to the presidential candidate in reference to the supposed similarities of his governance style to that of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Lito Banayo, a former Duterte aide who became Moreno’s campaign manager, the disparaging term “Duterte 2.0” or “Duterte Lite” seemed more appropriate to the likes of another presidential candidate — Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. than Moreno.
“So, ‘yung (the) Duterte 2.0 is more, more siguro (probably) akin to Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who from the very start has said everything that President [Rodrigo] Duterte has done is correct and he will continue these,” Banayo said on ABS-CBN News Channel’s Headstart, reacting to observations that Moreno wants to become Duterte 2.0.
“In fact, he even appropriated for himself the president’s daughter as his vice presidential candidate. So, siya ‘yung (he is the) Duterte 2.0,” he added.
Unlike Marcos, there are things that Duterte has done which Moreno opposed, said Banayo.
“The point is, there are good things that President Duterte has done. There are things that we do not agree with,” he said.
“Kung saan sa tingin namin tama naman si Pangulong Duterte, ba’t naman namin lalabanan? Kung saan naman tingin namin hindi maganda, then we speak out naturally,” continued the campaign manager.
(If we think President Duterte is correct, why will we fight it? If we see that what he does is not good, then we speak out naturally.)
Moreno remained hopeful that he would get Duterte’s endorsement despite the latter’s party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan’s support for Marcos.
Based on Pulse Asia’s survey released in March, Marcos tops the 2022 presidential race, followed by Vice President Leni Robredo.
Moreno placed third in the preferred presidential bets.