Duterte endorses lawmaker as Manila mayoral bet
MANILA, Philippines — Rep. Manny Lopez of Tondo, Manila has taken on the challenge to run for mayor of the country’s capital city in the elections next year, possibly against Mayor Isko Moreno.
Lopez said yesterday he has accepted the nomination by President Duterte himself as Manila mayoralty bet of the ruling PDP-Laban party under the wing led by Energy Sec. Alfonso Cusi.
“It is a great and distinct honor and privilege to be endorsed by a long-time family friend and by no less than the President of the Republic,” the District 1 congressman told The STAR.
Asked if he is ready for the possibility of facing Moreno, Lopez said it is best to “wait and see by October on the filing of candidacies.”
Lopez, who currently chairs the House committee on Metro Manila development, is on his second consecutive term as congressman. He won in 2019 under the Nationalist People’s Coalition.
The development came after the faction of Sen. Manny Pacquiao in the PDP-Laban ousted Duterte as their chairman and replaced him with Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III.
Moreno, asked for comment on Viber, sent a smiling face emoji in reply. – Ralph Edwin Villanueva, Jose Rodel Clapano
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