A day after his official announcement that he is running for president in the 2022 elections, Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso told his critics who claimed he is rushing into the presidency that what is important are a public servant's track record and the trust reposed upon him by the people.
Domagoso said that he respects the opinion of others as well as their criticisms but said that his years of public service are enough for him to be considered as a proper candidate for the position.
"Let me refresh your memory. I have been serving the city and the government for 23 years of my life," Domagoso said in an interview with CNN Philippines.
"I am 46 years old. Half of my life is dedicated to public service," he added.
Domagoso said the public had previously elected former President Corazon 'Cory' Aquino in 1986 despite her being a "plain housewife."
"Remember, marami rin namang taong nahalal na by nature or destiny, in the likes of sumalangit nawa, si Tita Cory. Kasi 'yun naman yung importante muna, yung tiwala sa iyo yung tao (because what really matters is that people trust you)," Domagoso said.
The mayor entered public service when he was elected councilor of Manila's first district in 1998, before serving as the city's vice mayor in 2007 and 2013.
The 46 year-old mayor also previously served as the chairman of the board of the North Luzon Railways Corporation and as undersecretary for Luzon Affairs at the Department of Social Welfare and Development under the Duterte administration before getting elected as mayor in 2019.
READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2021/09/21/mayor-isko-to-run-for-president-in-2022-elections/