By TERENCE L. RANIS
Presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso is not discounting the possibility of more candidates joining Aksyon Demokratiko's senatorial slate after the recent inclusion of former Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones.
“Why not? We’ll never know. Hanggang labindalawa lang naman eh. Basta kung sila tutulong sa atin, tutulungan kami eh bakit naman hindi e ako naman ang nanawagan na sana tulungan tayo ng ating mga kababayan at bigyan tayo ng tsansa at pagkakataong makapaglingkod sa kanila (Why not? We’ll never know. We are allowed to have twelve. As long as they would help us, join us in calling for our fellow countrymen to give us a chance to serve them),” Domagoso said.
Aksyon Demokratiko chairman Ernest Ramel said the inclusion of Castriciones in Team Isko’s slate is very much welcome and a clear indication that more personalities from the other side of the political fence may also join.
“Former DAR Secretary John Castriciones is a welcome addition to the team. He will not only bring his integrity, experience and knowledge in helping out our farmers who are one of those closest to Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso's heart. Our standard bearer has repeatedly said that the lack of food security is a threat to national security,” Ramel said.
Castriciones joined Domagoso and his senatorial bets during their three-day campaign swing in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) from Feb. 20 to 22.
Catriciones said it was his decision and his party's to join Domagoso and the rest of the Aksyon Demokratiko in their sorties in BARMM.
He also said that Domagoso is his choice for the next president of the country.
The 47-year-old Manila mayor promised to support and protect farmers and the country’s food producers with his 10-point Economic Agenda focusing on agriculture as one of the economic pillars to accelerate human and economic growth.
The agriculture sector, he said, will be his administration’s “North Star” to advance human and economic growth.