Moreno’s arrest not party matter, says LP

Manila Councilor  Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso  show his hand after finger printing at Police Station 3 allegedly crime engagin of Illegal gambling a Bingo game in Sta. Cruz, Manila.ARNOLD ALMACEN/INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines–The Liberal Party (LP) has distanced itself from the arrest of Manila Vice Mayor Francisco Domagoso over the weekend, saying it is “not a party matter.”

Domagoso, a former actor known as Isko Moreno, is the running mate of former President Joseph Estrada who is running for mayor of Manila under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). The two are running against incumbent Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and councilor Lou Veloso under the Liberal Party.

“This is an isolated incident. Walang kinalaman ang LP dito. Dapat silang managot kung anong batas ang kanilang nilabag (LP is not involved in this incident. But they should be charged for whatever law they have violated),” Eastern Samar Representative and Team PNoy Spokesman Ben Evardone said Monday at a press conference at the Liberal Party Headquarters in Cubao.

“Kahit si Mayor Lim walang kinalaman diyan…This is not a party matter but a violation of a law,” he added.

Moreno was arrested and detained on Saturday afternoon for allegedly engaging in illegal gambling. Also arrested and detained were Councilors Jong Isip, Joel Chua, Benny Ang, Yul Servo and Maria Asuncion Fuguso.

Moreno and the other councilors were released past midnight for lack of evidence.

Moreno and the councillors allegedly sponsored a bingo game that reportedly attracted some 500 people in Manila’s Blumentritt area.