MANILA, Philippines — The future political party of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno hit President Rodrigo Duterte for “politicizing” the distribution of cash aid to residents after the chief executive threatened to withhold a certain city’s “power to distribute” financial assistance.
“Huwag isangkalan ang serbisyo, kalinga, at ayuda na nararapat para sa ating mga kababayan. Tigilan ang pamumulitika at huwag gamitin ang pandemya upang isulong ang politikal at personal na interes para sa sariling pamilya,” Aksyon Demokratiko said Tuesday.
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(Don’t put the necessary service, care and aid for our countrymen on the line. Stop politicking and do not use the pandemic to pursue political and personal interests of their own family.)
The party added, “Gumising na sana ang pangulo sa katotohanan na nasa gitna tayo ng pandemya at kailangan natin ang isang lider na tunay mamumuno at uunahin muna ang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan.”
(The president hopefully wakes up to the truth that we are in the middle of a pandemic and we need a leader who will truly lead and prioritize the needs of our countrymen.)
Moreno was supposed to take his oath as a member of Aksyon Demokratiko this week, but decided to postpone it following the chaos at vaccination sites which was caused by false information that getting the jab is required to go out of their homes and to receive aid.
Authorities are investigating the source of this rumor, but Duterte himself said in a televised address that people who would not get the shot would not be allowed to leave their residence, contrary to current policy.
Manila barred from distributing aid?
Duterte, in a meeting with Cabinet officials on the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, said he will not allow a certain city to distribute aid because “they cannot organize.”
He then chided the local government over “disorder” at its vaccination sites and brought up its mayor’s past sexy photos during a meeting with Cabinet officials on the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Kayong mga Pilipino, huwag kayong magpaloko diyan sa mga padrama magsalita,” Duterte said. “Nakita ko nga sa Facebook kanina, lahat nang naka-bikini ang g*** tapos may isang picture pa doon na sinisilip niya ‘yung ari niya.”
(You Filipinos, do not be fooled by dramatics … I saw on Facebook earlier, the fool was wearing a bikini and there’s one picture where he was peeking at his penis.)
While he did not name names, Moreno is known to be the only Metro Manila mayor who had taken suggestive photos in the past as part of his career in showbiz.
Specific, clear instructions needed
Even if this is a known fact, interior department spokesperson Jonathan Malaya told Philstar.com that they cannot act on Duterte’s remarks until there is a “specific and clear instruction” coming from Malacañang.
Malacañang, however, has refused to identify Moreno as the subject of Duterte’s late night tirade.
Duterte was also wrong about Manila not being able to organize as the interior department recognized the city in June for its “efficient and timely” distribution of aid.
The president was endorsed last week by top officials of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan, which he chairs, as its vice presidential candidate for the 2022 elections, while it endorsed his former longtime aide as its presidential bet.
Moreno trails directly behind Duterte and his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, in surveys for potential presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
The Manila mayor has also said that he will not support any presidential candidate from a political dynasty in 2022. — Xave Gregorio with a report from Bella Perez-Rubio