If the COVID-19 pandemic was a test for leaders aiming for the presidency, only one candidate passed with flying colors: Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
This was emphasized by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, who at the proclamation rally of the Aksyon Demokratiko presidential candidate likened the two-year pandemic to an “audition” for candidates vying for the presidency.
“Itanong muna natin sa ating mga sarili; sino ang nagpagawa ng pinakamalaking field hospital sa Pilipinas na may 344-bed capacity sa loob lamang ng 52 araw sa Luneta? Si Isko lamang. Sino ang nag-imbak ng pinakamaraming gamot sa COVID-19 tulad ng Remdesivir at Molnupiravir, at libreng ipinamigay ito taga saan ka man? Si Isko lamang.”
According to the legislator from Batangas, “ang pandemya ang tumimbang ng kanilang kakayahan. Siya din ang bumuking kung sino ang may kulang.”
Recto said voters should ask what the current crop of presidential hopefuls did to address the pandemic.
“Itanong muna natin sa ating mga sarili; sino ang nagpagawa ng pinakamalaking field hospital sa Pilipinas na may 344-bed capacity sa loob lamang ng 52 araw sa Luneta? Si Isko lamang. Sino ang nag-imbak ng pinakamaraming gamot sa COVID-19 tulad ng Remdesivir at Molnupiravir, at libreng ipinamigay ito taga saan ka man? Si Isko lamang.”
The senator also pointed out that Moreno was the first official to set up the most number of laboratories that offer free COVID-19 testing, and the only candidate to put up a modern city medical center and upgraded existing Manila hospitals so they would be prepared to care for COVID-19 patients.
Recto added that while in the middle of the country’s greatest public health crisis, Moreno was still able to complete housing projects for Manila’s poor, as well as make substantial improvements in the city’s decrepit parks, monuments, and a zoo so Manila residents and non-Manila residents would have safe places to go to during the pandemic.
“Madali pong maglubid ng kwento at magtagpi-tagpi ng pangako. Pero iba si Isko. Siya ay tumatakbo sa lakas ng mga proyektong nagawa niya, mga pasilidad na hindi drawing pa lang, kundi gumagana na, mga bagay na nakatayo na, at nagbibigay ginhawa, hindi binabalak pa lang. Ang iba namimigay pa lang ng promissory note. Kay Isko, may resibo na,” stressed Recto.
“Sa sandaling panahon, naipakita niya ang lideratong hindi makupad at hindi tamad. Matagal na tayong nag-aantay ng isang lider na may tunay na solusyon at mabilis umaksyon.”
