Manila mayoral candidate Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso acknowledged on Thursday, April 24, his debt of gratitude to the late Danny Lacuna, while emphasizing his greater indebtedness to the residents of Manila for his tenure as the city’s former chief executive.
“Ako, may utang na loob kay Danny Lacuna. ‘Yan ay di ko ikinaila. Hindi ko ipinagkait o itinanggi… bilang ganti at pagtanaw ng utang na loob kay boss Danny, inaruga ko ang kanyang mga anak. (I owe a debt of gratitude to Danny Lacuna. I have never denied that. I never withheld or rejected it… as a gesture of gratitude and acknowledgment of my debt to Boss Danny, I took care of his children),” Domagoso said during his campaign sortie in Tondo’s District 2 attended by his team as well as Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Baka naman pupwede sa ibang bagay na lang ako tumanaw ng utang na loob. Bakit? Eh may utang na loob din naman ako sa taumbayan eh (Maybe I can pay my debt in another way and through my service to the people. Why? Because I am also indebted to the people of Manila),” he added.
Danny Lacuna, father of incumbent Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan and now Isko’s rival, served as Domagoso’s political mentor and helped finance his education.
The elder Lacuna was vice mayor from 1970 to 1971, from 1988 to 1992, and from 1998 to 2007.
He also served as city councilor of the 3rd district from 1967 to 1975, and special assistant to the then Manila Municipal Board beginning in 1963.
During the campaign rally, Vice President Duterte thanked Domagoso for giving the “Duter10” senatorial slate a platform to campaign in Manila.
“Una po, ang pasasalamat natin sa ating pinakamamahal na mayor ng siyudad ng Maynila, Isko Moreno Domagoso,” she said.
The Vice President said it would be okay for her if Domagoso becomes president.
“Tanggalin ko lang (sa podium) po ‘yung seal ng aking opisina, paltan natin ng seal ng Office of the President. Tinanggal ko lang kasi… Iba kasi ‘yung opisina, iba rin ‘yung pangangampanya,” she said.
“Pero kung sa pangulo lang, pumili na lang kayo— si Isko Moreno o si Sara Duterte, wala kaming problema,” she added.
Joining Duterte were PDP-Laban candidate Jimmy Bondoc and Senator Imee Marcos, whom she officially endorsed after the lady lawmaker bolted from the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate.
Aside from Marcos, Duterte also endorsed Las Piñas Representative Camille Villar, completing her 12 senatorial bets in the May 12 polls. (Patrick Garcia, Argyll Geducos)
