BATANG MAYNILA

It has come to my attention that there are some continuing attempts to drive a wedge between me and members of the Chinese-Filipino community.

They are making a mountain out of a molehill, by twisting or taking totally out of context the comment I made when our fishermen were driven out of the West Philippine Sea by some Chinese authorities. That remark was directed at the mainlanders and yet, somehow, some are trying to make it appear that I was attacking and disrespecting the Chinese-Filipinos in general.

Just how funny can this matter be? Well, first of all, my good Secretary to the Mayor, former Councilor Bernie Ang, is a Tsinoy. If I had no high regard for Tsinoys, I would have picked another for the position which is equivalent to my alter ego, no less.

Also at the Manila City Hall, I cannot count with just 10 fingers the number of Tsinoys that make up my official family.

It is also probably worth mentioning that way before the anti-COVID vaccines arrived in the country, I have been announcing that I will get jabbed with Sinovac, a China-based vaccine. This is to show that I have total faith in the vaccine produced by the Chinese, amid the hesitancy by some who place more trust in vaccines made in the US and other countries.

Also noteworthy is the fact that the city of Manila is the only local government unit that purchased 400,000 Sinovac doses direct from China, through coordination made by my office as represented by Sec. Ang and the China government through the representation of their embassy here in the Philippines.

In addition, I have countless Tsinoy friends of long standing who know that I would never, ever do or say anything that would in any way show disrespect for them. In fact, I have time and again cited the important role that Tsinoys play in the country’s progress.

Bear in mind that Manila is host to the biggest Chinatown in the country. It is our center of financial activities and home to a huge number of Tsinoys who have been consistently helping the city government at every turn and most especially, during this pandemic.

To them, I am forever grateful and trying to make it appear that I would even think of disrespecting them is a long shot. It is a desperate attempt to alienate me from them, maybe because I am running for the highest position in the land.

I know and am confident though, that the members of the Chinese-Filipino community are intelligent enough not to fall into this trap and distinguish between truth and smear campaign.

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I am fully aware that some are displeased when I said that I will not decline, should President Rodrigo Roa-Duterte grant me his endorsement to become the next President of the country.

As I have been consistently saying from the time I assumed the mayorship in Manila and especially now that I am running for President, I really need the support of everyone and the President is no exception, of course. I don’t see why I would not accept his anointment, should it come my way.

I am not a hypocrite. Politics is addition and an endorsement from a sitting President will certainly boost anyone’s candidacy specially for someone like me who does not belong to any political clan or the so-called old rich families.

In the first place, I am not running to get back at anyone or resume a decades-old political feud. I am not anybody’s lapdog. I have always been my own man.

My only goal is to replicate nationwide all the wonderful things that we have accomplished in Manila. I want all Filipinos to get the same benefits that Manilans are now enjoying.

I am running for President because I want to serve the people and this country with all my heart, mind and might. I want to put an end to political family feuds that have stalled the country’s progress for years and leave a better Philippines for our children and the generations next to them.

This dream of mine for a better country can only be achieved if I win and in order for me to get a chance to lead the country to a brighter future, I would need the help of as many as possible.

I cannot and will never be choosy when it comes to help and support being offered to me. Everybody is welcome.

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Gaya ng paulit-ulit kong sinasabi, kailangan ko ang tulong ninyong lahat. Walang magmamalasakit sa Maynila kundi tayo ding mga Batang Maynila. Manila, God first!

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For updates on latest developments in the city of Manila, please visit my Facebook account — ‘Isko Moreno Domagoso.’