Isko formalizes bid to unseat Lacuna

MANILA, Philippines — Former Manila mayor Isko Moreno yesterday formalized his bid to reclaim the city’s top post and unseat Mayor Honey Lacuna in the 2025 midterm elections.

Together with his Aksyon Demokratiko running mate Chi Atienza, Moreno filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for Manila mayor.

Supporters clad in white cheered for Moreno to “come back.”

Alleged lapses in social services under Lacuna, who is seeking reelection, caused frustration among residents, Moreno said.

Elderly residents were complaining that unclaimed cash allowances were being forfeited, he said.

Residents are also being required to book an online appointment before getting a schedule at the city’s health centers, Moreno said.

“I asked Honey if I can come back as mayor. Swiftly she answered, ‘no, I’m running for reelection,’” Moreno said.

Lacuna was Moreno’s vice mayor from 2019 to 2022.

Actor joins mayoral race

Actor Raymond Bagatsing filed his candidacy for Manila mayor yesterday.

Bagatsing, co-chairman of President Marcos’ Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP)-Manila chapter, was joined by his partymates in filing his COC.

Former Manila 5th District councilor Pablo Dario Gorosin Ocampo will run as Bagatsing’s vice mayor.

Those running for councilors under PFP are Roneil Sanguyo and Nelson Sevilla of District 2; Aldwin Hamilton Tan and Eduardo Quintos XVI, District 4; Marilou Ocsan, Paulino Martin Ejercito Jr., Gloria Enriquez and Gladina Villar, District 5; and Juan Rafael Crespo and Romualdo Billanes, District 6.

PFP-Manila officers thanked the party’s national president, South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo, for his support.

Vice Mayor Yul Servo is also seeking reelection. His sister, 3rd District Councilor Johanna Maureen Nieto-Rodriguez, is vying for a congressional seat under Moreno’s ticket.

Lacuna and Servo are running under the local party Asenso Manileño.

Nieto-Rodriguez will run against Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua, who is seeking reelection under the ruling party Lakas-CMD.

Among showbiz personalities who are running for councilors in Manila are Moreno’s son Joaquin Domagoso, reelectionist Councilor Lou Veloso, vlogger Mocha Uson and Wendell Ramos.

Zamora seeks reelection

In San Juan, Mayor Francis Zamora yesterday filed his COC for reelection under PFP.

Vice Mayor Angelo Agcaoili is also seeking reelection.

Zamora is running against former San Juan vice mayor Philip Cezar.

Former councilor Jana Ejercito, niece of former president Joseph Estrada, will run for the city’s lone district against Rep. Ysabel Zamora, who is seeking reelection.

Stella Quimbo bids for Marikina mayor’s post

Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo formalized her bid for the city’s mayoralty post yesterday.

She was accompanied by her husband, Miro Quimbo, who is seeking a comeback at the House of Representatives by gunning for the post that she will vacate.

Before filing her COC at the Comelec office in Marikina, Stella and her supporters held a program in front of the city hall where she lambasted Mayor Marcelino Teodoro for his alleged refusal to issue building permits for projects in her bailiwick.

Among these is the construction of a civic center in Barangay Marikina Heights and school buildings in other barangays.

Stella criticized Teodoro for his alleged failure to solve the perennial flooding in Marikina.

She is running against Teodoro’s wife, Marikina 1st District Rep. Marjorie Ann Teodoro.

In Mandaluyong, Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos filed her candidacy to reclaim the city’s mayoralty post. Her vice mayor is Councilor Anthony Suva.

Abalos said the family’s patriarch, Mayor Benjamin Abalos, 90, opted to retire from politics. — Jose Rodel Clapano, Emmanuel Tupas