Manila City Vice Mayor Dr. Honey Lacuna formally announced her mayoralty bid prior to filing her certificate of candidacy (COC) in the 2022 national elections on Wednesday, Oct. 6.
Lacuna's running-mate is Manila Rep. Yul Servo Nieto.
In her speech during the launching of her mayoralty bid, Lacuna said she is ready to embrace the responsibility and face the challenges of becoming the first female mayor of the nation's capital.
"Mga Batang Maynila, samahan po ninyo ako. Gumawa po tayo ng isang bagong kasaysayan sa Lungsod ng Maynila. Bigyan natin ang kapitolyo ng ating bansa ng isang pinuno na may puso ng isang ina, pagmamalasakit ng isang doktora," she said.
"Handang handa na akong yakapin ang responsibilidad at harapin ang hamon ng pagiging kauna-unahang babaeng alkalde ng Lungsod ng Maynila (I am ready to embrace the responsibility and face the challenge of becoming the first female mayor of the City of Manila)," Lacuna added.
The vice mayor also vowed to continue all the projects started by Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso should she win in the mayoralty race in May 2022.
"Umasa po kayong hinding hindi ko po kayo bibiguin. Tuloy tuloy ang serbisyo, tuloy tuloy ang benepisyo. Walang iniiwan, lahat kasama, lahat mahalaga (You can expect that I will never let you down. The services will continue, the benefits will continue. No one will be left behind, everyone is included, everyone is important)," she said.
"Magsisilbing bakuna hindi lamang sa pandemya. Sama sama tayo sa isang malusog, maayos, payapa, at maunlad na Maynila (I will be like a vaccine (or cure) not only during this pandemic. We shall work together for a healthy, orderly, peaceful, and prosperous Manila)," Lacuna said.
Domagoso had earlier expressed his support for Lacuña, saying the city will be in good hands in case she succeeds him as chief executive of the city.
“Mga batang Maynila, you are in good hands. I trust Honey Lacuña 100 percent that she will continue ‘yung allowance ng senior citizen sa Maynila,” he said. “Tawag nga natin diba sa kanya ‘Honey Bakuna.’ Kaya she will do good and I do believe in that."
Lacuna was also officially declared as the Asenso Manileno's standard bearer.
Before she entered politics, Lacuña worked as a physician in the city health office.
She also served as city councilor from 2004 to 2013.
Lacuña ran for vice mayor of Manila in 2016. In 2019, she teamed up with Domagoso to secure re-election as vice mayor.
If she gets elected, Lacuña will be the first female mayor of Manila.