Moreno continues to court Cebu's vote

CEBU, Philippines —  In his third visit to Cebu since announcing his bid for presidency, Manila City Mayor Francisco "Isko" Moreno Domagoso asked the local business in Cebu to support his candidacy in the 2022 elections.

Yesterday, the second day of his current visit, Domagoso had a dialogue with the local business organizations in Cebu like the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cebu Chamber Of Commerce and Industry and Cebu Bankers Club where he directly asked for support from the business leaders.

“Kung akoy nagustuhan ninyo ngayong araw na ito, please don’t stop it from you alone. Huwag mong solohin, i-share mo. Please help me win the election. I need your help. I can only do these things, my aspirations, whether you call them visions or missions in my life, but one thing that I guarantee you, I will be there serving you,” Moreno said.

Prior to his dialogue with the business leaders, Domagoso attended the flag-raising in Lapu-Lapu city hall early morning yesterday where he promised livelihood and housing projects for the urban poor groups.

Domagoso was accompanied by Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan, but when Chan was asked if the former is his presidential bet, Chan said he does not have a presidential candidate yet as he is still waiting for President Rodrigo Duterte's presidential choice.

“Alam mo, we are the candidate of the President… naghihintay lang kami kung sino ang i-endorse (ni Presidente Duterte),” Chan said.

Moreno to vote for Digong

Moreno also revealed that he will endorse President Duterte's senatorial bid.

“I will personally vote for President Duterte for senator. And I will be grateful, honored and humbled to have somebody like the president in our slate as an additional candidate for senator. And I think he is very much capable of doing the job as a legislator,” Moreno said, adding that he is willing to “adopt” Duterte to their slate.

Though he clarified it's up to the President if he is willing to be part of their senatorial slate.

“Ayoko namang pangunahan ang pangulo. Malaya naman siyang makapamili kung saan niya gustong sumama. Pero it is definitely an honor for me if the president will accept my invitation for him to be an adopted senatorial candidate of Aksyon Demokratiko,” Moreno furthered.

Moreno is the standard bearer of Aksyon Demokratiko.

Currently, the party’s senatorial candidates are: Jopet Sison, a former Quezon City councilor; Samira Gutoc, a women’s rights advocate from Marawi City; and Dr. Carl Balita, a registered nurse and midwife.

Moreno said Cebuanos’ vote is important to him as Cebu really delivered during elections “based on history.”

Moreno also visited the Capitol where he attended the Christmas tree lighting ceremony and awarding of the Sugbo Negosyo program recipients.

If elected President, he said  he will copy the template of the Sugbo Negosyo program of Cebu Province for the micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs) as part of the recovery program from pandemic.

Former presidential spokesperson and senatorial aspirant Harry Roque was also present at the Capitol yesterday. — JMD (FREEMAN)