Isko: Not the right time to go around for alliances

MANILA, Philippines — Without naming any particular politician or possible candidate, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno took a swipe yesterday at those making the rounds to forge political alliances and partnerships for the May 2022 polls amid the pandemic.

In an interview on the sidelines of his State of the City Address, Moreno said this was not the right time to talk about plans for the elections.

“As mayor, you have an obligation to stay in your city. Come October, decisions will be made… I’m just going to think about it. I won’t go around talking to whichever politicians and parties and so on and so forth,” Moreno said.

Although he did not name Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, President Duterte’s daughter has been visiting various cities and meeting politicians.

“This is not the right time for taking pictures, aligning, partnership with politicians. Kasi ‘yung mga politiko sila-sila lang naman nakikinabang diyan. Wala naman kapakinabangan ‘yang mga political alliances for now,” Moreno added.

Duterte-Carpio visited Zamboanga City yesterday to talk with soldiers who survived the C-130 crash in Sulu. A sisterhood agreement was also signed between Davao City and Zamboanga City.

The Davao City mayor, however, insisted that her visits were not politically motivated.

Duterte-Carpio, who said she was open to running for president in 2022, recently topped a Pulse Asia survey for possible presidential candidates. Moreno placed second in both the presidential and vice presidential surveys.