MANILA, Philippines — Aside from his no-nonsense brand of leadership, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno also tapped social media in his fight against corruption.
Making full use of his Facebook and Viber accounts, which were easily accessible by the public, Moreno encouraged netizens to send their complaints directly to the mayor’s office or the Manila Police District’s Special Mayor’s Reaction Team.
Complaints and tips regarding crimes and misdemeanors poured in and resulted in the arrest and filing of charges against local officials.
By August, many netizens followed Moreno’s nightly rounds of Manila on Facebook Live.
President Duterte said he liked Moreno’s kind of leadership “as it best exemplifies his administration’s willingness to reform the country.”
In August, a group of Chinese businessmen donated P20 million to the city halls’ coffers and Moreno immediately ordered the renovation and restoration of the historic William Jones Bridge, which connects Ermita to Binondo.
When an apparel company offered him an endorsement contract, he readily accepted it but told the owners to donate his talent fee to the Philippine General Hospital children’s cancer ward.
Moreno also asked big businesses to employ senior citizens, a move that drew praise from Manila’s residents.
More than 20 ambassadors visited Moreno during his first five months in office and extended invites for reciprocal visits.
Next president?
Because of his popularity, some sectors are egging Moreno to run for president in 2022, but he shut them down.
“I can serve for nine years as Manila mayor. There are still a lot of things to do in the city. That thing is the farthest from my mind right now,” he told The STAR.
Asked about his plans for the city, Moreno said he will address the problem of informal settlers by focusing on vertical housing programs “to maximize land use and reduce traffic congestions.”
“We have lands where we can build the housing program. This is a part of my 10-year infrastructure program, which includes traffic, tourism, health care and jobs,” he said, adding that reclamation projects are not his priority.
On Manila’s garbage problem, he said he will introduce the “Pagkain sa Basura” program wherein people can exchange segregated garbage for food coupons.
He said he will also allot P1 million for the cleanest barangays “to encourage them to clean their respective areas.”
“I will clean Manila. I will see to it that this is done while I am in office. The city is the face of the country. Whatever happens here reflects on the whole country,” Moreno said.