Isko Moreno hints at nation-building project: Where Manila goes, PH follows

Isko Moreno

MANILA, Philippines – Manila mayoral candidate Isko Moreno Domagoso has hinted at a major initiative that could redefine the city’s role in national development.

While he remained tight-lipped about the specifics, he assured the public that this program would be a game-changer.

“Given a chance by our people to be of service, we will create something, a program, that will add to nation-building,” Moreno stated. “We will be part of the nation-building concept [of the] national government. We will participate in our nation’s growth.”

Isko Moreno

It used to be that “where Manila goes, the country will follow,” said Moreno, emphasizing the historical and economic significance of Manila and how his initiative will restore its influence.

“Manila has always been the window of opportunity for every Filipino. Ang nanay ko, ang tatay ko. From Antique, punta ng Tondo. Nanay ko from Samar, tandaan ninyo. It’s an opportunity. It’s a window of opportunity, ang Maynila.”

Isko Moreno

Though details remain undisclosed, Moreno assured that he and his running mate Chi Atienza are preparing a transformative plan that will put Manila at the forefront of national progress.

“Chi and I, and our group will try to design something that talagang maramdaman naman ng mga batang Maynila at ng ating mga kababayang Manileño sa lungsod na tayo ay kapitolyo ng bansa.”

(Chi and I, along with our group, will try to design something that will allow the sons and daughters of Manila and our fellow Manileños in the city to truly feel that our city is the capital of the nation.)

Aside from the forthcoming initiative, Moreno outlined his top priorities for the city if elected mayor again.

“Lilinisin natin ulit ang Maynila. Maliligo ulit. Naaawa naman ako sa mga taga-lungsod. Talaga namang dugyot ulit ang Maynila ngayon,” he said, emphasizing the urgent need to restore cleanliness and order in the city.

(We will clean up Manila again. It will be refreshed again. I feel sorry for the people of the city. Manila has really become filthy again.)

He also voiced concerns about crime, saying, “Lima singko nanaman ang mga tolongges dito sa Maynila. Broad daylight, snatch dito, snatch doon; agaw dito, agaw doon; patayan dito, patayan doon. Para bang walang gobyerno nanaman sa Maynila.”

(Good-for-nothing people are everywhere again here in Manila. In broad daylight, there’s snatching here, snatching there. Theft here, theft there; killings here, killings there. It’s as if there’s no government in Manila again.”

Beyond law enforcement and sanitation, Moreno also underscored the importance of economic growth.

“We wanted to focus on that also to give jobs for our people,” he said, adding that his administration would prioritize “MBN or minimum basic needs,” which includes healthcare, education, housing, and employment.

Isko Moreno is leading in the Manila mayoral race. An OCTA Research survey conducted from January 2 to 7, 2025, shows Isko Moreno dominating with 74% voter preference. Sam Verzosa follows at 15%, while Mayor Honey Lacuna trails with 9%.