MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate Manila mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Tuesday doubled down on his call for vice president Leni Robredo to withdraw her bid for the Chief Executive post.
In an ambush interview with reporters, Moreno also said he is just giving Robredo “a taste of her own medicine.”
However, it was not Robredo nor her camp who was pushing Moreno to back out, but only her supporters.
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“Uulitin ko ulit, do not speculate, wag na kayong magtanong kung kani-kanino, at pinapanindigan ko lahat ng sinasabi ko. O ngayon, uulitin ko,” Moreno said.
Moreno declared: “Vice President Leni, be a hero, withdraw, give chance to the other candidates.”
“I stand on it, I believe on it, and its high time na matikman din nila ‘yung lasa ng sarili nilang gamot. For now, yun pinapanindigan ko iyon. Tapos na.”
The Manila mayor first made the call during a joint press conference with his fellow presidential candidates at The Peninsula Manila Hotel in Makati City.
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Aside from Moreno, presidential candidates Senator Ping Lacson and former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales attended the event.
Vice presidential candidates Doctor Willie Ong and Senate President Tito Sotto were also present at the event.
Even Ong, who is Moreno’s running mate, disagreed with the mayor’s call for Robredo to give up her presidential bid. The doctor even praised Robredo, saying he and the vice president have so much in common when it comes to their stand on issues.
Lacson and Gonzales also distanced themselves from Moreno’s position.
Lacson said he had no idea that Moreno would say such a thing, while Gonzales, who admitted that he was “uncomfortable” with the mayor’s proposal, also apologized to Robredo.
The camp of Senator Manny Pacquiao, who is supposed to attend the event, also bucked Moreno’s pronouncements.