Isko Moreno fires back at Lacuna for criticizing Manila loans

Isko Moreno during the town hall meeting at Isetann Recto Cinema.

MANILA, Philippines – Former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has responded to recent criticisms from current Mayor Honey Lacuna regarding the city’s financial burdens, particularly loans inherited from his administration.

The exchange comes after Lacuna’s October 15, 2024 interview on ANC with Karen Davila, where she emphasized the significant debt her administration is still grappling with, stemming from projects launched under Moreno’s term.

During the town hall meeting at Isetann Recto Cinema.

Lacuna noted the strain caused by these loans, which were used for multiple infrastructure initiatives.

“Our loan is really huge. It’s his loan during his time (Isko Moreno), which went into a lot of infrastructure—7 housing projects, 4 schools, Manila Zoo, and the Hospital ng Manila, as well as medical equipment for the Hospital ng Manila,” she said in Filipino, explaining that the current administration has had to shoulder the ongoing payments for these projects.

Isko Moreno takes a group photo with the senior citizens of Manila during the town hall meeting at Isetann Recto Cinema.

Moreno, however, defended his choices during a town hall meeting on October 22, 2024, emphasizing the humanitarian focus of his administration, particularly during the period of the pandemic. Responding to Lacuna’s criticism that he provided assistance to non-voters, Moreno posed a heartfelt question to the attendees.

“May sakit o wala, botante o hindi, anong mararamdaman niyo kung yung nanay niyo nakaratay sa karamdaman, anim na taon na hindi nakakabangon pero humihinga pa, buhay pa… pero dalawang eleksyon hindi nakaboto, hindi na botante… so dahil hindi na siya botante, wala na siyang pension?” he asked.

(Sick or not, voter or not, how would you feel if your mother is bedridden, unable to get up for six years but still breathing, still alive… yet she hasn’t been able to vote in two elections, so she’s no longer a voter… because she’s no longer a voter, she no longer has a pension?)

Moreno highlighted the unprecedented challenges the city faced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, asserting that his administration’s priority was to ensure no family went hungry.

“Inisip ko, paano kakain ang 700,000 families, 2 million people of Manila will go hungry dahil sa pandemya, dahil sa lockdown. Hindi niyo po napakinggan nung naging mayor ako na walang pera ang syudad. Ginawan ko ng paraan… I took the responsibility,” he explained.

(I thought about how 700,000 families, 2 million people in Manila will eat, they will go hungry because of the pandemic, because of the lockdown. You didn’t hear from me when I became mayor that the city had no money. I found a way… I took the responsibility.)

He also pointed to the measures taken to support the city’s healthcare system, noting that he ensured the availability of essential medical supplies such as oxygen. “Maynila, tangke-tangke ang oxygen, mabuhay lang ang mga mahal natin Manileño,” he added.

(We have lots of oxygen tanks so our fellow Mañileno will survive.)

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Moreno’s remarks were well-received by the crowd, especially when he signaled his intent to bring back programs for senior citizens that were implemented during his tenure. “Sa tulong niyo, pag nakabalik tayo, ibabalik natin ang sigla ng lungsod ng Maynila,” he declared, to the delight of the attendees.

(With your help, when I come back, we will restore the vibrancy of the city.)

As the political atmosphere in Manila heats up, the ongoing back-and-forth between Lacuna and Moreno highlights the lasting impact of the pandemic and differing approaches to governance.

While Lacuna has pointed out the financial strain left behind, Moreno stands firm in his belief that his administration made the right choices to safeguard the welfare of Manileños during one of the city’s most challenging periods.