After failed Senate bid, Isko plans showbiz comeback

MANILA, Philippines — Outgoing Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno is excited to have more time with his family after losing in the recent senatorial race.

The former vice mayor of Manila tried his luck to get a seat at the Senate, only he didn’t land a spot in the “Magic 12.”

“No, no regrets at all,” he replied when asked if he regretted running for senator, in an interview in ABS-CBN’s late-night talk show “Tonight with Boy Abunda” on Tuesday.

Moreno said it was easy for him to accept his defeat. “I think hindi pa ready ang tao for me. So bakit mo ipipilit ang isang bagay na hindi pa naman para sa iyo.”

He also denied asking re-elected Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada if he could run for mayor this election since he didn’t want to “divide” the city.

“I don’t want to divide the city because of too much politics nalugmok ang syudad dahil sa away ng mga politiko,” he explained.

For now, he looks forward to spending more time with his family, especially now his eldest child will be entering college.

“Unang-una siguro magpapamilya ako. Marami akong utang sa mga anak ko,” he replied when asked about his plans after the elections. “Second, I’ll do some business, ‘yong maliit kong negosyo ipo-focus ko.”

He also bared his plan to return to showbiz. “I’ll come back sa showbiz, maybe [do] talk show like you [Abunda], kasi pinapanood ko kayo lagi,” he said.

“‘Yon ‘yong essence leading a talk show, e, sometimes ‘yong viewers mo kasi kaya mo i-move, e. Also that’s sort of public service, by giving factual information [to the people],” Isko said. — Joyce Jimenez