Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said he wants to “heal” political divisiveness in the country if he wins the 2022 presidential race.
Domagoso made the pronouncement after filing his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) last Monday at the Sofitel Harbor Garden Tent in Pasay City for his presidential bid under the Aksyon Demokratiko party.
He was accompanied by his running mate and vice presidential aspirant Dr. Willie Ong.
Domagoso is no stranger to such “divisiveness” after Duterte criticized the vaccine drive of the City of Manila, which he said exposed the people to the elements during a recent typhoon.
This was after the Manila mayor called out the administration’s handling of the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
In one of his public addresses, Duterte also took a swipe against a bikini-wearing presidential aspirant. Domagoso was known for his sexy photos during his early showbiz career,
“We are too divisive, and indecisive. That cost the stamping of our economy on top of the pandemic,” Domagoso said.
Healing process
To foster such a “healing” process, Domagoso said he is willing to accept senatorial candidates from other parties to be included in their senatorial slate.
“I made a commitment to you when I declared my last candidacy last Sept. 22 that I can work with anybody, so whoever can help me address the problems we face, they are welcome [in our senatorial slate],” Domagoso said.
Currently, Samira Gutoc, a former member of the regional assembly of the now Autonomous Region of Muslime Mindanao (ARMM) and Carl Balita are the senatoriables of Aksyon Demokratiko.
“Now, to our people, give me the chance to heal our country a better tomorrow, which we aspire for,” he added in urging voters to cast their votes in favor of him and his running mate.
He urged the public not to vote for vice president, who could end up opposing instead of helping him achieve his priority programs.
Domagoso said he personally picked Ong, who is a doctor by profession, to help him address the pandemic, which he said, may last beyond 2022.
Domagoso is the most prominent of the 12 presidential aspirants during the fourth day of the COC filing.
Updated list
During the same day, Comelec was also able to register 3 for vice presidential aspirants, and 16 other individuals who are gunning to join the senatorial race.
The poll body also registered a party-list organization, which filed their list of nominees and Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA).
These are the Ang Koalisyon ng Indigenous People, Marvelous Tayo, Alagaan ng Sambayanang Pilipino, Gabriela, Aasenso, Ako’y Tech Voc, AKAP, Truck Drivers Philippines, Ipatupad for Workers, and Aangat Kusinerong Pinoy.
The Philippine Green Republican Party (PGRP) was able to field a “full slate” of aspirants, which includes aspirants for president, vice president and 12 senators.
As of Monday, Comelec was able to register the following number of aspirants for national positions: 20 for president; 7 for vice president; 39 for senators; and 48 for party-list.
The COC filing will run from Oct. 1 to 8, 2021.