Isko Moreno hopes Bong Go finds peace as senator backs out of 2022 presidential race

Presidential aspirant Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso. Contributed photo

San Joaquin, Iloilo — “I hope he finds peace.”

This was the message of Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso to Senator Bong Go, who formally withdrew his certificate of candidacy (COC) for president at the Commission on Elections office in Intramuros, Manila, on Tuesday.

In a media interview here, Moreno said Go’s decision to quit the May 2022 presidential race is surely not an easy one. He then expressed hope that everything will be alright for the senator in the coming days.

“I hope makita ni Senator Bong Go ang kanyang sarili dahil mahirap na desisyon ‘yung pinagdaanan niya. Malaking sakripisyo ‘yun sa kanya,” he said.

Go, a long-time close aide of President Rodrigo Duterte, was supposed to run for president in next year’s elections under the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan, a political party allied with PDP-Laban.

Go was initially seeking the vice presidency but joined the presidential race instead to avoid a clash with President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who will run for vice president.

“Well, officially sinabi niya naman ‘yun (withdrawal from the race). Hindi ko kasi alam kung ano ang pinaghuhugutan ni Senator Bong Go. But it’s really hard because in a presidential campaign you will be psychologically, emotionally, and physically challenged. So ‘yung mga outside things may affect also your situation. Mas makakapag-pabigat ‘yun,’ Moreno told reporters.

With Go already out of the presidential derby, Moreno was again asked if there are plans on his part to seek the endorsement of President Duterte.

“Lahat naman katulad ng ordinaryong tao. Every single day is part of the plan na to convince voters in the coming election and that includes those people who are incumbent and maybe, and that includes the President,” Moreno pointed out.

“I hope dumating ang oras maiboto tayo ng mga taong iyun. Kasi every vote, ‘yun ang importante nabibilang ang boto eh. Boto ang hinahanap ng tao,” he said.

When informed by the media that President Duterte has already spoken during his “Talk to the People” that he will remain neutral in the 2022 elections, Moreno said it is best to let the Chief Executive be.

“Kung meron siyang (President Duterte) kukursunadahin, good for him kasi siya naman ang magde-desisyon nun. But then again basta ako iboboto ko siya. ‘Yun, hindi niya makukuha sa akin ‘yun bilang botante. Kasi labing-dalawa naman ang bobotohan. May tatlo akong mga senador, eh di makakaapat na ako. Syempre, baka si Loren Legarda maiboto ko rin dahil siya naman eh naging mabuti sa kapaligiran,” the Manila City mayor said.

Moreno explained further: “So, there are things that can be considered as we progress with the campaign. Tapos, taga-Antique rin naman si Senator Loren Legarda. So, there are many things that can be considered but for now ako sa tao lang muna, ikot lang muna ako sa tao. Makipag-usap sa tao and hopefully lahat ng mga nakakausap ko ay mag totoo na ikakampanya nila kami sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay and hopefully they can grow exponentially.”

The Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer took his Listening Tour to Sitio Liit, Barangay Purok 1 to attend the Domagoso-Sandoy Family reunion and finally meet his paternal relatives. Joining Moreno were his running mate, Dr. Willie Ong, and senatorial bets Samira Gutoc of Marawi City, Dr. Carl Balita of Oriental Mindoro, and Jopet Sison of Quezon City.

San Joaquin town is the birthplace of Moreno’s father, Joaquin, who in his youth went to Hamtic, Antique, and later on, tried his luck in Manila in the 1960s and worked as a stevedore in the ports of Manila.