Isko Moreno warns vote buyers in Manila

Mayoralty candidate Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso. PHOTO by Faye Orellana / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – Mayoralty candidate Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said Monday that he would take legal action against candidates who would buy votes in the local elections in May.

According to Domagoso, the mayoral race was not only about competition between him and fellow candidates Alfredo Lim and Joseph “Erap” Estrada, but the fight of every Manileño.

“I am not only going to fight for my right as a candidate but I am also going to protect the rights of every Manileño to respect the choice of the people,” Domagoso said in an interview after he signed the Integrity Pledge at a peace covenant at the Manila Cathedral.

“We will confront it legally, basta kung sino man yung mga tao na ‘yan,” he said.

When pressed what he would do if a vote buyer would come from his allies, Domagoso said that would be “impossible” given their limited resources.

“Bukod sa wala kaming balak na magsagawa ng mga maruming taktika, wala rin kaming pera para sa ganyan,” he said in a text message to INQUIRER.net

The signing of the peace covenant aims to have peaceful and honest elections in Manila.

Domagoso and Lim signed the covenant. Estrada was a no-show.

READ: Manila candidates sign covenant for honest elections

With this, he assured that his party would play fair and clean in the elections.

“Ang kaya kong garantiyahan sa inyo, yung akin lang, yung sapatos ko lang. Hindi ko alam yung sa kanila,” he said.

“We are one with the Comelec in running free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible elections,” Domagoso said. /cbb