Moreno denies neglecting duties as Manila mayor

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Friday denied that he is neglecting his duties as the city’s chief executive because of his presidential bid.

Moreno said he trusts his vice mayor, Honey Lacuna, to manage the city’s affairs while he tours the country ahead of the May 2022 elections.

Outside Metro Manila, Moreno and his slate have visited the provinces of Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Cebu, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Oriental Mindoro, Pampanga, Quezon, Rizal, Tarlac and Zambales, months before the official start of the campaign in February next year.

Lacuna is running for mayor in 2022.

In his Facebook live address on Friday, Moreno thanked his constituents for complying with health protocols and getting vaccinated.

Moreno said the number of COVID-19 cases in Manila dropped to below 100 in the past week.

The city had 87 active cases of COVID-19 as of yesterday, with only two new infections. This is the seventh straight day that Manila logged below 100 cases, according to the city’s public information office.