Front-runner Isko Moreno won’t engage in negative campaigning in Manila mayoral race
Former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso and vice mayoralty candidate Chi Atienza
Former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and vice mayoralty candidate Chi Atienza have launched their campaign with a motorcade across several districts in the city.
Despite the large turnout of supporters, time constraints meant that only three of the city’s six districts were covered.
“Salamat sa Diyos, nakaligtas at maayos naming nairaos ang motorcade kanina,” Moreno said. “Salamat sa taumbayan sa mainit na pagtanggap sa amin. Kinapos kami sa oras dahil nais naming ma-accommodate ang lahat.”
(Thank God, we safely and successfully carried out the motorcade earlier. Thank you to the people for the warm welcome. We ran out of time because we wanted to accommodate everyone.)
During a proclamation rally in Tondo, Moreno described his return to the mayoral race as “a new courtship,” acknowledging the challenge of regaining voter support after his 2022 presidential bid.
READ: Isko Moreno’s Manila mayoral bid gets support from grassroots groups
Former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and vice mayoralty candidate Chi Atienza have launched their campaign with a motorcade across several districts in the city.
He also addressed criticisms he has faced over the past months, but emphasized that he would not engage in negative campaigning.
“Nakalulungkot isipin na apat na buwan yatang akong pinupulutan ng mga kakumpetensya,” he said. “Pero hindi namin papatulan ang mga iyon. Magre-report lang kami at makikinig sa hinaing ng tao.”
(It’s sad to think that I’ve been a topic of gossip among my competitors for about four months. But we won’t engage in that. We’ll just report and listen to the concerns of the people.)
Moreno also urged his supporters to focus on the issues and avoid political divisions, stressing that leaders should unite, not divide.
“Ayoko magtanim ng hinanakit o magsalita ng masama sa kapwa ko Manileño. Leaders should not divide the people. Kami, mag-uulat at mangangako sa mga bagay na gagawin namin, ayon sa hinihingi ng taumbayan.”
(I don’t want to hold grudges or speak ill of my fellow Manileños. Leaders should not divide the people. We will report and make promises based on what the people truly need.)
With the campaign now in full swing, Moreno and Atienza are expected to focus on addressing the concerns of Manila’s residents as they continue their outreach efforts in the coming weeks.
READ: OCTA: Support for Versoza, Lacuna not even half of Isko Moreno’s numbers
In the most recent March OCTA survey conducted from March 2 to 6, or over two months before the May 12 elections, had Moreno on top with 67% of the voters of Manila picking him over congressman Sam “SV” Verzosa Jr. (16%) and Mayor Honey Lacuna (15%) of the Asenso Manileño local party.
