Lacuna vows to continue Moreno’s programs

MANILA, Philippines — Manila mayor-elect Honey Lacuna yesterday vowed to continue the programs of outgoing Mayor Isko Moreno.

In an interview on dzMM, Lacuna said Moreno, who has conceded defeat in the presidential race, would always be welcome in their local party Asenso Manileño.

Lacuna, an outgoing vice mayor, was proclaimed Manila mayor on Wednesday night. She received 538,595 votes based in the official canvassed results.

Lacuna’s closest rival, Alex Lopez, son of the late Manila mayor Mel Lopez Jr., got 166,908 votes. Former congressman Amado Bagatsing garnered 118,694 votes. Christy Lim, daughter of the late mayor Alfredo Lim, received 14,857 votes.

Retired police general Elmer Jamias got 4,057 votes while independent candidate Onofre Abad had 2,618 votes.

Lacuna, Manila’s first female mayor, said she would continue the city’s allowances for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and solo parents, as well as the construction of schools and hospitals.

She also vowed to continue Moreno’s programs of cleaning up the streets of Manila and removing illegal vendors.

Lacuna said she would continue the transparency measures at city hall, such as digitalization of transactions in the local government.

During her proclamation, Lacuna turned emotional and hugged her father, former vice mayor Danny Lacuna, who was in a wheelchair.

Lacuna has said she was honored to have fulfilled the wish of her father for a Lacuna to sit in the top city hall post.

Lacuna’s running mate, congressman Yul Servo, won as vice mayor with 586,855 votes.