Presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Saturday, Feb. 19, tried to win the support of the members of the Catholic charismatic group El Shaddai for his presidential bid.
Domagoso thanked Bro. Mike Velarde, founder and leader of the El Shaddai, and its members for the opportunity to attend their weekend service at the International House of Prayer in Amvel, Parañaque City.
“Kung papalarin ako, ipararamdam ko sa inyo ang pagkakapantay-pantay ng tao. Mapa-Mindanao, Visayas at Luzon o sa ibang bansa, bawat Pilipino pantay-pantay sa serbisyo, programa at polisiya ng gobyerno (If I get lucky, I will make you feel the equality among people. May they be from Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon or abroad, every Filipino is equal in government services, programs, and policies),” he said.
“Iyong sinabi po ni Brother Mike kanina na ‘the choice is yours,’ because of that, Brother Mike, you gave me hope (What Brother Mike had said earlier that ‘the choice is yours,’ because of that you gave me hope),” he added.
Velarde had said that its members are free to choose their own candidates in the upcoming elections. “The choice is yours,” he said.
“’Wag kayong magtataka na tuwing Sabado, mayroon tayong mga panauhing kandidato. Welcome natin silang lahat na dumalo sa ating gawain (Don't be surprised that every Saturday, we have guest candidates. We welcome them all to attend in our work). I am presenting them to you, examine their hearts for the scripture says: ‘Out of the heart, the mouth is fixed.’ Kung ano laman ng dibdib ay siyang bukambibig ,” Velarde pointed out.
“So, always remember this, the choice is always yours, not mine,” he added.
Domagoso, meanwhile, assured the members of El Shaddai that there will be an ideal, prudent, and efficient government that will treat its people equally regardless of social status should he win the presidency.
“Yung sinabi po ni Brother Mike kanina, choice. Because of that Brother Mike, you gave me hope. Hindi pa huli ang lahat (What Brother Mike said earlier, choice. Because of that Brother Mike, you gave me hope. It's not too late),” the Manila mayor said.
Domagoso laid down his platform anew in addressing poverty, hunger, unemployment, inequality and social injustice in the country by focusing on providing the minimum basic needs such as housing, education, health care, as well as the creation of more job opportunities.