Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Monday, March 28, said that selling the Divisoria Public Market was mainly intended to raise the city’s funds to battle the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Hangga’t maaari may paggalang ako sa mga namatay na eh (As much as possible, I have respect for the dead), but the data will show that it’s his father who did it to expose the city government in a very gravely disadvantageous situation,” said Domagoso, who did not mention any names, in a chance interview in Gingoong, Misamis Oriental.
“As of now we’re happy, nakagawa kami ng paraan (we found a way),” said Domagoso, citing the construction of Basecommunity, aid or “ayuda” given to Manilenos, as well as the purchase of Covid-19 medicines and equipment.
The Manila Mayor also maintained that no illegal action was done on the procedure of selling the public market.
“Wala akong kaso (I don’t have any lawsuits). You can check. May mga akusasyon (There were accusations), but cases did not prosper at all.. I survived 24 years of my life in public service. So far wala namang illegal."
In a separate interview, Domagoso said he would sell lands that have no value, as well as underperforming assets, and use the proceeds as “ayuda” for Filipinos if elected as president.
“Hindi naman realtor ang gobyerno eh. Isasangla ko lahat ng estado na hindi napapakinabangan at isasalya ko rin ang mga assets na underperforming. Kahit ibenta ko lahat, kahit city hall, kahit clock tower, makakain ka lang. The government is not a realtor. I would sell unused lands and underperforming assets. I would sell everything, even the city hall, the clock towers, just to feed Filipinos),” he said.
“Aanhin ko ang mga bato na yan, ang mga building na yan, nalulugi naman. Yang mga bagay na yan wala namang kwenta, hindi naman napapakinabangan ng tao (What am I going to do with those rocks, those buildings, that are going bankrupt? Those things don't matter, they don't benefit people),” he continued.