Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso slammed accusations of bullying made by Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua, following the mayor's closure of an "illegal" construction project, allegedly spearheaded by the solon, in Barangay 334 on Thursday, August 21.

The project was shut down due to its lack of permits and formal approval from the city government.

Chua responded in a video statement, accusing Domagoso of being selective in halting projects, particularly those proposed by him and his councilors.

"Ang nangyayari sa kaniya, selective. Pati po ‘yong mga konsehal ko, pati ‘yong barangay chairman ko, ginigipit po niya. Masyado po siyang bully na mayor. [...] Bakit puro kalaban lang niya ang ginigiba niya (He is being selective. He is harassing my councilors, even my barangay chairman. He is too much of a bully mayor. [...] Why is he only targeting his opponents?)," the lawmaker said.

Domagoso denied Chua's claims that politics influenced his decision to shut down the construction project. He emphasized that he approves project proposals based on legality and public benefit, not political affiliation.

"Si Congressman Irwin Tieng ang daming programa, ang daming project. Nagpunta (sa City Hall) sabi ko "O basta ito kunin mong permiso," kumuha s'ya, e di inapprubahan ko. Hinarangan ko ba 'yung para sa ikabubuti ng taong bayan? Hindi. Ganun din kay Congressman Maceda na hindi ko din kapartido, inapprubahan ko din. Maganda 'yung isang project ni Congressman Edward Maceda, inapprubahan ko (Congressman Irwin Tieng has many programs and projects. When he went to the City Hall to seek approval for his project, I said, 'Just get a permit,' and he did -- so I approved it. Did I block something that benefits the people? No. The same goes for Congressman Edward Maceda, who is not in my party -- I approved his project because it was good)," Domagoso said.

Domagoso also questioned the logic behind Chua's proposed barangay hall project.

"Kayo ba gagastos ba kayo ng P19 million pera ng taong bayan para gagawa ng barangay hall tapos sa bangketa, tapos tatakpan 'yung eskwelahan? Tama ba 'yun? Aapprubahan mo ba 'yun? Unang una tama rin s'ya na marami nang barangay hall na nasa bangketa sa Maynila tapos dadagdag pa s'ya? So ibig sabihin 'yung mali gusto niyang ipagpatuloy kasi nagmukhang tama. Magiging tama lang kasi congressman siya (Would you spend P19 million of public funds to build a barangay hall on the sidewalk, covering a school? Is that right? Would you approve that? He's correct that there are already many barangay halls on the sidewalks in Manila, and yet he wants to continue something wrong just because it appears right. It only seems right because he is a congressman)," he added.

The mayor then presented a project made between Districts 3 and 4 that was initially disapproved and later given the green light after following proper legal procedures.

"Bakit kailangan humingi ng permiso? Kasi kailangan namin gumawa ng traffic plan kasi isasara 'yung tulay. Hindi ngayon magugulat ang taong bayan. Tanong: Ikabubuti ba ito ng taong bayan? Opo. Kakampi ko ba sa pulitika si Joel Chua? Hindi. Kakampi ko ba sa pulitika si Edward Maceda? Hindi. Distrito ba nilang dalawa ito? Oo. Inapprubahan ko ba? Oo (Why do we need to ask for permission? Because we need to make a traffic plan because the bridge will be closed. That way, the public won't be surprised. Question: Is this for the good of the people? Yes. Is Joel Chua my political ally? No. Is Edward Maceda my political ally? No. Is it their district? Yes. Did I approve it? Yes)," Domagoso explained.

Finally, Domagoso highlighted the importance of tax compliance in city projects.

"Ano ang maganda dito? Nagbayad sila ng buwis. Magkano po ang binayarang buwis or what you call contractor's tax sa gobyerno ng Maynila? P504,000 ang binayaran. Iyon ata ang ayaw ipagawa ng mga ibang congressman, baka kasi mabawasan ko 'yung pribelehiyo or 'yung para sa kanila (What's good about this? They paid taxes. How much was paid in contractor's tax to the Manila government? P504,000. I think that's what some congressmen don't want to do -- because it might reduce their privileges or personal gain)," he added.