Isko Moreno fires again at Lacuna for criticizing Manila loans

Isko Moreno through the city corridor assembly at Isetann Recto Cinema.

MANILA, Philippines – Former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has responded to current criticisms from present Mayor Honey Lacuna relating to the town’s monetary burdens, notably loans inherited from his administration.

The alternate comes after Lacuna’s October 15, 2024 interview on ANC with Karen Davila, the place she emphasised the numerous debt her administration continues to be grappling with, stemming from initiatives launched beneath Moreno’s time period.

Throughout the city corridor assembly at Isetann Recto Cinema.

Lacuna famous the pressure attributable to these loans, which have been used for a number of infrastructure initiatives.

“Our mortgage is absolutely enormous. It’s his mortgage throughout his time (Isko Moreno), which went into a variety of infrastructure—7 housing initiatives, 4 faculties, Manila Zoo, and the Hospital ng Manila, in addition to medical gear for the Hospital ng Manila,” she mentioned in Filipino, explaining that the present administration has needed to shoulder the continued funds for these initiatives.

Isko Moreno takes a bunch photograph with the senior residents of Manila through the city corridor assembly at Isetann Recto Cinema.

Moreno, nonetheless, defended his selections throughout a city corridor assembly on October 22, 2024, emphasizing the humanitarian focus of his administration, notably through the interval of the pandemic. Responding to Lacuna’s criticism that he offered help to non-voters, Moreno posed a heartfelt query to the attendees.

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“Could sakit o wala, botante o hindi, anong mararamdaman niyo kung yung nanay niyo nakaratay sa karamdaman, anim na taon na hindi nakakabangon pero humihinga pa, buhay pa… pero dalawang eleksyon hindi nakaboto, hindi na botante… so dahil hindi na siya botante, wala na siyang pension?” he requested.

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(Sick or not, voter or not, how would you’re feeling in case your mom is bedridden, unable to stand up for six years however nonetheless respiratory, nonetheless alive… but she hasn’t been in a position to vote in two elections, so she’s now not a voter… as a result of she’s now not a voter, she now not has a pension?)

Moreno highlighted the unprecedented challenges the town confronted through the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, asserting that his administration’s precedence was to make sure no household went hungry.

“Inisip ko, paano kakain ang 700,000 households, 2 million folks of Manila will go hungry dahil sa pandemya, dahil sa lockdown. Hindi niyo po napakinggan nung naging mayor ako na walang pera ang syudad. Ginawan ko ng paraan… I took the accountability,” he defined.

(I considered how 700,000 households, 2 million folks in Manila will eat, they’ll go hungry due to the pandemic, due to the lockdown. You didn’t hear from me after I grew to become mayor that the town had no cash. I discovered a approach… I took the accountability.)

He additionally pointed to the measures taken to assist the town’s healthcare system, noting that he ensured the supply of important medical provides comparable to oxygen. “Maynila, tangke-tangke ang oxygen, mabuhay lang ang mga mahal natin Manileño,” he added.

(We now have numerous oxygen tanks so our fellow Mañileno will survive.)

READ: Isko Moreno formalizes Manila Metropolis mayoral bid

Moreno’s remarks have been well-received by the gang, particularly when he signaled his intent to convey again applications for senior residents that have been applied throughout his tenure. “Sa tulong niyo, pag nakabalik tayo, ibabalik natin ang sigla ng lungsod ng Maynila,” he declared, to the delight of the attendees.

(Along with your assist, after I come again, we’ll restore the vibrancy of the town.)

Because the political environment in Manila heats up, the continued back-and-forth between Lacuna and Moreno highlights the lasting influence of the pandemic and differing approaches to governance.

Whereas Lacuna has identified the monetary pressure left behind, Moreno stands agency in his perception that his administration made the correct selections to safeguard the welfare of Manileños throughout one of many metropolis’s most difficult intervals.