The popular mayor of the Philippine capital city on Wednesday announced he was running for president in next year’s elections, the latest in a growing number of aspirants to replace President Rodrigo Deterte.
Manila City Mayor, Isko Moreno declared his bid in a speech at a public school in the slum area where he grew up scavenging for leftover food from restaurants and other junk.
The Mayor grew up in the slum before he became an actor and then politician.
“I have pulled myself out of the gutter with no Daddy Warbucks helping me along.
“I humbly announce to you my countrymen, this coming May, please accept my application as president of the Philippines.
“It was not high ambition that drove my decision, but the sorry state of our country,’’ he said
The 46-year-old mayor has criticised the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, including the lack of medicines to combat the coronavirus disease.
That prompted the president to inaugurate a tirade against him in recent months.
Before Moreno, world boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, and former Police Chief Panfilo Lacson – both incumbent senators – announced their bids for the presidency in the May 2022 elections.
Other possible presidential contenders include Vice President Leni Robredo; Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte; and former senator Ferdinand Marcos (Jr), the only son and namesake of the late dictator.
Moreno’s running mate is Willie Ong, a 57-year-old cardiologist who has more than 16 million followers on Facebook where he gives medical advice.
Ong will face Duterte and Senate President Vicente Sotto, in the vice presidential race.
(NAN)