From running mates to rivals: Honey, Isko vie for Manila mayoral seat

From running mates to rivals?

The battle for Manila between Isko ‘Yorme’ Moreno and incumbent mayor Honey Lacuna is now official.

According to Oscar Oida’s 24 Oras report, Moreno is seeking to reclaim his mayoral post after he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Tuesday.

He is set to compete against his ‘Ate’ (big sister) and former running-mate, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna.

Moreno, who was mayor of the country’s capital city from 2029 to 2022, said he formally talked with Lacuna back in July.

“I respectfully asked Ate Honey, ‘Ate, pwede ako bumalik sa pagka-Mayor? And swiftly, she answered no, I’m running for re-election’,” he said. 

(Big sister, can I return to the position of mayor?)

“Karapatan naman niya iyon so what I did is kiss her and said goodbye and hug. Si Doc Pox kasi mahal mahal na ko ang mga yan, dahil kay Danny Lacuña, bilang pagtanaw ng utang na loob,” he added. 

(It’s her right, so I kissed her, said goodbye, and hugged her. I love Doc Pox and also because of Danny Lacuña, as an expression of gratitude.)

Meanwhile, Lacuna confirmed that Moreno talked to her about his candidacy. 

“The last time we spoke to each other was I think, July 12, Sabi ho niya tatakbo po siya. Wala po akong sinabi, pinakinggan ko lang siya. That’s face to face,” said Lacuna.

(He said he was running. I didn’t say anything, I just listened to him.)

Moreno previously stated that he considers Lacuna’s father— former Manila vice mayor Danny Lacuna— as his as his second father. He considers the elder Lacuna his mentor in politics.

Meanwhile, Tutok To Win Party-list Representative Sam Verzosa also filed his certificate of candidacy for mayor in Manila last Sunday.

“‘Yung mga taga-Maynila naman may karapatang pumili ng gusto nila. Kasi nakakalungkot na puro away na po eh,” said Verzosa.  

(The people of Manila have the right to choose who they want. Since, sadly, there is discord going on.)

Alvin Avecilla Karingal, Michael Go Say, and Jerry Sindo Garcia also filed their COC in the race for Manila’s next mayor.  —Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News