Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso slammed accusations of bullying made by Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua, following the mayor’s closure of an allegedly illegal construction project in Barangay 334 on Thursday, August 21.
The project, reportedly led by Chua, was shut down due to its lack of permits and formal approval from the city government.
In a video statement, Chua criticized Domagoso for allegedly being selective in halting projects, particularly those initiated by him and his allies.
“Ang nangyayari sa kaniya, selective. Pati po ‘yong mga konsehal ko, pati ‘yong barangay chairman ko, ginigipit po niya. Masyado po siyang bully na mayor. […] Bakit puro kalaban lang niya ang ginigiba niya,” Chua said.
Domagoso denied that political bias influenced his decision, asserting that his administration evaluates projects based on legality and public benefit, not political affiliation.
“Si Congressman Irwin Tieng, ang daming programa, ang daming project. Nagpunta sa City Hall, sabi ko ‘O basta ito kunin mong permiso,’ kumuha siya, e di inapprubahan ko. Hinarangan ko ba ‘yung para sa ikabubuti ng taong bayan? Hindi. Ganun din kay Congressman Maceda na hindi ko kapartido, inapprubahan ko din,” he explained.
The mayor also questioned the logic behind Chua’s proposed barangay hall, which was to be built on a sidewalk, partially obstructing a school.
Domagoso also questioned the logic behind Chua’s proposed barangay hall project.
“Kayo ba gagastos ba kayo ng P19 million pera ng taong bayan para gagawa ng barangay hall tapos sa bangketa, tapos tatakpan ‘yung eskwelahan? Tama ba ‘yun? Aapprubahan mo ba ‘yun? Unang una tama rin s’ya na marami nang barangay hall na nasa bangketa sa Maynila, tapos dadagdag pa s’ya? So ibig sabihin ‘yung mali gusto niyang ipagpatuloy kasi nagmukhang tama. Magiging tama lang kasi congressman siya,” he added.
To illustrate his point, the mayor cited a joint project between Districts 3 and 4 that was initially disapproved but later approved after complying with legal requirements.
“Bakit kailangan humingi ng permiso? Kasi kailangan namin gumawa ng traffic plan kasi isasara ‘yung tulay. Hindi ngayon magugulat ang taong bayan. Tanong: Ikabubuti ba ito ng taong bayan? Opo. Kakampi ko ba sa pulitika si Joel Chua? Hindi. Kakampi ko ba sa pulitika si Edward Maceda? Hindi. Distrito ba nilang dalawa ito? Oo. Inapprubahan ko ba? Oo,” Domagoso explained.
He also highlighted the importance of tax compliance in city projects.
“Ano ang maganda dito? Nagbayad sila ng buwis. Magkano po ang binayarang buwis or what you call contractor’s tax sa gobyerno ng Maynila? P504,000 ang binayaran. Iyon ata ang ayaw ipagawa ng mga ibang congressman, baka kasi mabawasan ko ‘yung pribelehiyo or ‘yung para sa kanila,” he added. (Patrick Garcia)
