Isko Moreno says he hopes elections end `peacefully without hate’
Isko Moreno wants no hatred among constituents, political rivals. File photo
MANILA, Philippines—Manila City mayoral candidate Isko Moreno on Monday said that he does not want to foster hate among his opponents as they vie for the city’s chief executive post.
The former mayor responded this way when asked for a message to his opponents after casting his vote at Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School in Tondo, Manila.
He noted that during his team’s miting de avance, he emphasized that feuding with each other would not benefit them.
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“Because if God allows and I get elected… I don’t want to govern the people of Manila with full hatred among each other, at the end of the day, it’s us who will see each other in the finals,” Moreno, speaking in Filipino, told reporters in an ambush interview.
Further, he said that he is hoping that they conclude the mayoral race “peacefully without hate.” Among Moreno’s rivals in the local elections are incumbent Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna, and incumbent Tutok to Win Party-list lawmaker Samuel Versoza Jr.
“I wish that everyone will be safe, and that we get through [the elections without animosity and any unnecessary incidents because we want the people of Manila to be safe,” Moreno added.
Meanwhile, when asked for a message to his former ally, Lacuna, Moreno said that he is happy that everyone finished the 45-day campaign period for the local position “safe.”
Lacuna, who was once his running mate in the 2019 local elections, served as the city’s vice mayor under him.
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“Good luck to them. Good luck to us all. I wish them well. I hope that no one gets sick because of the heat,” Moreno said.
Meanwhile, Moreno said that he and his family will be monitoring the results of the elections in the afternoon onwards. He also said that they will be closely looking into possible election violence, such as reports of vote-buying.
