Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso apologized to Manileños on Monday, Nov. 24, over the absence of Christmas decorations, particularly parol (lanterns), across the city, explaining that installing them would cost P14 million—funds he chose instead to allocate for social aid and the payment of debts left by the previous administration.
“Pasensiya na kayo, ha? Wala akong ilalagay na parol sa buong Maynila. Pagpasensiyahan n’yo na ako, eh kasi that would cost P14 million. Eh, ayaw ko namang makapamuhay nang marangya tapos magdadahilan ako sa inyo ng ‘nganga’,” Domagoso said.
“Pero hindi ibig sabihin n’un walang parol, walang Pasko. Basta ang importante sa Pasko, nand’yan ang pamilya natin,” he added.
The mayor recently announced that the city government had already cleared more than P317 million of unpaid utility obligations inherited from the previous administration.
Domagoso said the city paid P217 million in Meralco arrears covering Sept. 2024 to May 2025 and P9 million in overdue telecommunication bills.
He added that Manila also settled P16 million owed to Manila Water and cleared P73 million in Maynilad arrears from October 2024, with a remaining balance still being processed.
The mayor explained the payments reflect the administration’s efforts to strengthen fiscal management and restore the city’s financial stability, thanking Manila taxpayers for making the settlement possible. (Patrick Garcia)
