BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Presidential candidate Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, who lags behind Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Vice President Leni Robredo in presidential bet surveys, yesterday vowed to compete until the last day of May 9 elections.
With more than a week before the elections, Moreno believes that he can still win, claiming that there is a “silent majority” rooting for him.
Moreno, accompanied by his vice-presidential candidate, Dr. Willie Ong, senatorial candidates Samira Gutoc, Jopet Sison and John Castriciones, as well as the controversial Mocha Uson, paid a courtesy call on Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, saying “I am offering to you peace of mind.”
“Hindi po tayo papanatag at uunlad. Panahon na, mga kababayan, tuldukan na natin ang away nila sa Mayo 9. Iba naman. Walang awayan, walang higantihan (There is no progress without peace. It’s time to stop the fighting on May 9. It’s time for change. No more fighting, no more revenge).” Let’s move on, he added.
As he campaigned in Panay and Negros, Moreno, ironically, lost the support of two key allies in Iloilo and Bacolod City.
Bacolod City councilor aspirant Ricardo “Cano” Tan” yesterday issued a statement that he has decided to disaffiliate himself from the Aksyon Demokratiko party of Moreno, for what he calls apparent disrespect, as he was not informed of the activities of the presidential candidate, despite being the party chairman in Bacolod City.
New Lucena town Sangguniang Kabataan President Bryan Cerebo also tendered his resignation as Iloilo provincial chair of Aksyon Demokratiko on April 28, a day after Moreno ended his tour of Panay Island and Guimaras.
As the political campaign progressed, Moreno’s activities were not coordinated with him and being the party chairman in the city, such acts were damaging to his leadership, Tan said.
As the party leader, Tan said that he should be privy to any activity of Moreno, whom he regarded as a man of integrity and possessed the capability to lead the country.
“I am a leader who values loyalty and respect. Since I am being bypassed and disrespected in the position given to me, I would rather disaffiliate myself. This is a bitter pill to take, but reality bites where some have shown disrespect on me,” he said.
Stressing that his decision is not whimsical, Tan pointed out that party affiliation is about trust and confidence, respect and loyalty.
“This is what binds us. But if one of these conditions is being circumvented, this will affect our unity and working relations. We have a big goal to achieve. But when disrespect sips in, this will only sink the boat,” he further stressed.
Moreno capped his political campaign in Negros Occidental with a political rally at the Bacolod City public plaza.*
