Isko Moreno has charisma and popularity, but his early hints at running for president elicited a backlash of questions about his character and his past. What are his chances should he go for it in 2022?
MANILA Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso is one lucky politician because he managed to get the interest of the people of Manila, convert this into trust and popularity, thereby opening doors for him in national politics.
Manila is still the political flashpoint in the country, although Makati, Quezon City and Pasig have overtaken it in economic and financial importance.
Traditionally, the mayor of Manila is always in the limelight, and Malacañang now and in the past, have always been wary about the political plans of whoever is the sitting mayor of the premiere capital city. Mayors Arsenio Lacson and Antonio Villegas always adhered to a strong, fighting stance against the Palace, and the tradition only ended with Ramon Bagatsing's kowtowing to President Ferdinand Marcos, which was understandable because of martial law.
But the youthful and popular Isko Moreno is now the mayor, and this ambitious guy has made unequivocal hints that he wanted to make a run for the presidency. This, despite his loss in his senatorial bid two elections ago.
Praised by Duterte
Not to long ago, Moreno received direct praises from President Duterte, citing his various accomplishments as mayor of Manila. Duterte even listed him as one of the three young politicians who could be the leader of this nation in the future, the other two being former senators Bongbong Marcos and Francis Escudero.
But recently, various events occurred, supported by videos and photographs, showing how Mayor Domagoso mishandled the vaccination program for COVID-19 in Manila. People were lining up for hours in flooded areas of San Andres Sports Complex, while thousands of Manilans packed the lines in San Lazaro SM mall that almost turned into a stampede had the police not intervened to restore order.
Salacious items
Because of these verified reports that cannot be denied by Isko because if they were documented, President Duterte threatened in his televised speech that he would withdraw from the mayor of a city in Metro Manila (this is Manila, do doubt about it) the task of distributing the subsidy for poor families, and transfer the job to the DILG and the DSWD. The President then aired expletives and vitriols against the city mayor who he said posed in sexually suggestive photos that are all over Facebook and the Internet.
Hear Duterte's "mouth indicator" firing his characteristic fire and brimstone, throwing shade at political opponents Isko Moreno and Jim Paredes: "Kayong mga Pilipino huwag kayong magpaloko dyan sa mga padrama magsalita pati. Nakita ko nga sa Facebook kanina, nakabikini, may isang picture pa duon na sinisilip nya ang ari niya. Yan ang gusto ninyo? Ang training, parang call boy, naghuhubad sa picture, nakabikini, yung garter tinatanggal nya. Parang si Paredes." (The reference to Jim Paredes was his masturbation in a video call that made the rounds of social media a few months back, for which he apologized to the public. The incident would have been forgotten had the President not mentioned about photos of the "city mayor" looking at his penis inside a skimpy bikini briefs.)
Isko's rebuttal
Mayor Moreno's rebuttal to this is classic. He did not mention anything about the sexy photos. He instead produced a certificate of appreciation from DILG Secretary Eduardo Año
praising Manila for its efficient implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination program. Moreno also thanked the President for the start of rollout of subsidy distribution in Manila, with marginal families receiving their share in a normal manner.
While Isko's decision not to quarrel with Duterte at this time is likely to score good points for his image, it is generally assumed that more headwinds are going in his direction in the coming days: problems and headaches that come with the ambition to run for president.
Political analyst on Isko
Dr. Dante Ang writes this analysis on Isko's political chances for now, and we quote from his Manila Times article:
"Let us assume for a moment that Manila Mayor Isko Moreno is joining the opposition. I must, however, point out that as of this writing, he has not said a word about his plans for next year's elections. Whether he guns for the presidency or runs for reelection under his party, Aksyon Demokratiko, and if he brings Aksyon into the fold of the opposition, the ranks of the depleted opposition might begin to see a rise in membership. Moreno is no pushover. He is young, charismatic and an achiever. More importantly, he is mayor of Manila, a premier city. The opposition certainly needs a Moreno if it hopes to be reinvigorated. The opposition could make use of the mayor in its recruitment drive, and to help unify it."
Dr. Ang is correct in saying that for now, it is still anybody's game. "Consider the latest poll results: Sara, 28 percent; Marcos, 13 percent; Moreno, 11 percent; Pacquiao, 10 percent; Robredo, 5 percent; and Lacson, 2 percent."
Candidate looking for a party
For a time, Isko Moreno was a foundling or an orphan looking for a national political party to adopt him. He and Honey Lacuna only had the Asenso Manileno for a local party. He had to leave the National Unity Party (NUP) which is supported by billionaire Ricky Razon (ICTSI, Bloomberry, Manila Water, Solaire, etc.) because that party looks committed to supporting Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte for president.
Then Isko found Aksiyon Demokratiko (AD), that forgotten political party founded by the late Sen. Raul Roco and who lists as EVP the popular Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto. AD Chairman Ernest Ramel Jr. forthwith announced the election of Moreno as party president, and Isko himself said that this happened after a series of long and numerous meetings with party officials -- which is unlikely because he jumped ship from NUP to AD almost within 48 hours.
Biggest problem
Well anyway, Moreno's biggest problem is how to finance a presidential campaign, with the likes of Manila port's Razon unable to chip in as much, and the Chinese-Filipinos in Binondo such as the Gokongweis have too much "utang na loob" to Sen. Panfilo Lacson that they would not dare leave him in case of a presidential campaign. Remember that it was Lacson, as a police official, who helped rescue Robina Gokongwei and her cousin from kidnappers years ago. And we do not know if the ever-reliable flow of "support" from Binondo had been "transferred" from Lim to Moreno at this time.
Isko Moreno has to maintain his personal charisma with the public, should project a reliably solid leadership qualities, make friends with the religious groups, etc. so that his so-called popularity could hold water -- and thus entice big business supporters to back his campaign.
The road will be tricky, bumpy and disaster-prone, but at least he has a chance. (With a report by Diego C. Cagahastian