Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso said the battles that concern him are the ones being waged against the pandemic, poverty, and hunger—not with his competitors in the presidential race.
Moreno stressed this on Friday when he and his Team Bilis Kilos barnstormed Navotas and Malabon to present their 10-point Bilis Kilos agenda of governance, as he explained that he does not consider his fellow contenders for the highest position in the land as “enemies” but “competitors” who are offering themselves to lead the nation in the next six years.
“Ang tunay na kalaban natin ay yung nagpapahirap sa tao tulad ng kahirapan sa buhay, kalusugan dala ng pandemya, at walang pagkapantay-pantay sa lipunan. ‘Yan ang tunay na kalaban natin at ‘yan ang nilalabanan ko,” said Moreno.
“We are not enemies, we are just competing with each other.”
At his proclamation rally on February 8, the Manila mayor vowed to end the elitist politics that have brought misery and inequality to the Filipino people.
That is why, the local chief executive said, he decided to gun for the presidency to bring genuine change and reforms, and provide equal opportunities to all Filipinos by giving them the option to vote for someone who has shared their experiences of poverty and struggles to survive.
After facing the media, Moreno and his running mate Doc Willie Ong, together with the Aksyon senatorial candidates Dr. Carl Balita, Samira Gutoc and Jopet Sison, held a motorcade in Navotas and Malabon that was warmly welcomed by tens of thousands of residents as they made their way through the streets of these two cities located in the northwest of Metro Manila.
Residents chanted “Isko, Isko, Isko” and “Yorme, Yorme, Yorme,” some bearing handmade placards expressing support for Moreno.
“Mayor Isko panalo ka na, huwag ka lang dadayain,” read one poster carried by a resident. Many supporters also offered food packets, water, soft drinks, flowers, religious items, and even banners emblazoned with “Yorme ng Pilipinas,” during the motorcade that started at 2 p.m. and lasted until nine in the evening.
Moreno said it is this genuine and unbridled show of support from the people that sustains his resolve to act fast on implementing real solutions that will address the ills plaguing the country and its people.
The multi-awarded local chief executive also shared he remains undaunted despite the many challenges facing his campaign, from being an underdog to being a candidate without a political pedigree to speak of, among others.
“Bakit ako (madi-dismaya), ayan, yung tao na nagsasalita. I think, ito, the thing speaks for itself. Kaya lumalakas ang loob ko dahil ang tao, ‘yung silent majority lumalabas ng bahay nila para lang masilayan tayo,” shared Moreno.
“Sa gitna ng araw, kahapon umulan pa, umambon, pero ang tao hindi nagpatalo o hindi nagpapigil na mabigyan man lamang tayo ng lakas ng loob na ‘Isko, eto kami. Kakamayan ka namin, lalabasin ka namin.”
