Large crowd welcomes Isko Moreno’s Manila mayoralty comeback bid
MANILA, Philippines — Former Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso is seeking to reclaim the mayoral post in the 2025 elections and filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Tuesday.
Thousands of Manilenyos in white shirts — many of whom carried placards with the words “Bumalik Ka Na!” (“Come Back Now!”) — awaited Moreno’s his arrival at Arroceros Park.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Moreno announced that he will be running as mayor of Manila, with Chi Atienza his running mate.
“Samahan po ninyo akong muli. Let’s make Manila great again! Dinidinig ko po ang panawagan ninyo, tatakbo po akong mayor sa darating na halalan,” the post read.
(Please join me again. Let’s make Manila great again! I am heeding your calls, I am running as mayor in the next elections.)
Article continues after this advertisementMoreno will be squaring off against Mayor Honey Lacuna, his former ally and running mate in the 2019 elections.
Lacuna filed her COC for mayor last Thursday. Lacuna previously said that Moreno informed her about his plan to return as the city’s chief local executive.
The former allies were recently caught up in a verbal exchange as the incumbent mayor said “Don’t come back” in Filipino when asked about the former mayor’s plan to return to politics.
Moreno, when asked about his reaction, said: “Peace be with you.”
A survey conducted by OCTA Research said that Moreno would win Manila’s mayoral race against Lacuna if the elections were held from July 8 to 10. Moreno would corner 86 percent of the votes, and Lacuna eight percent.