Group behind Duterte’s 2016 bid endorses Moreno

MANILA, Philippines — 2022 presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has earned the support of a group that also carried then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte into the presidency in 2016.

Officials and members of the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte National Executive Coordinating Committee (MRRD-NECC), led by former Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) secretary John Castriciones, handed over to Moreno the group’s manifesto of support at the Manila mayor’s campaign headquarters in Intramuros yesterday.

“I think he is the most qualified candidate that should be supported by MRRD-NECC and therefore should be endorsed as the next president,” Castriciones, MRRD-NECC national president, said.

The group, composed of members who held Cabinet positions in the Duterte administration, saw Moreno’s “willingness to serve the country,” as well as his accomplishments as Manila mayor since 2019.

“We believe that all that he has done in Manila, he would also do to our country,” he said.

Castriciones also highlighted the “continuity of the projects and programs of the Duterte administration” under a Moreno presidency.

He also mentioned that the MRRD-NECC would change its hand sign, or from the “peace” sign to the “number one” sign.

The “peace” sign is being used by Moreno’s rival, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose vice presidential bet is Duterte’s daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Moreno has been known to use the “number one” sign to support his slogan “God First.”

The group pledged to intensify Moreno’s campaign especially in Mindanao.

Castriciones, who resigned from his DAR post to pursue his campaign for the Senate, also appealed to Moreno to “support farmers especially during the pandemic” and continue the government’s land distribution program.

For his part, Moreno said MRRD-NECC’s endorsement of his candidacy was the biggest yet.

Like what he has repeatedly proclaimed, he also pledged before the group to continue Duterte’s Build, Build, Build program, but would erect more public housing projects, more hospitals and more schools.

Moreno has been previously tagged as Duterte’s “secret candidate,” especially after his rift with rival Vice President Leni Robredo. He has repeatedly denied the allegation.

Moreno and Duterte engaged in a word war after the Manila mayor hit the government’s COVID-19 pandemic response programs, especially its policy on the use of face shields.

Despite criticism, Moreno previously declared he hoped he would get Duterte’s endorsement, and that he would include the President in his senatorial slate before the latter backed out.