After ending a "word war" with Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua, Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso said they have vowed to work together in improving the lives of the city's residents.

In an interview with Manila Bulletin on Wednesday, Sept. 3, Domagoso said he has forgiven those who have hurt him with their words and actions and has opened to them opportunities for collaboration, including those who are not his political allies. 

"Welcome silang lahat sa Maynila. Ang Diyos mapagpatawad, sino ako? It doesn't matter who they are, basta ako, I can work with anybody as long as it is beneficial sa taong bayan. Yung pride, 'pride chicken' lang yan (They are all welcome in the city of Manila. If God can forgive, then who am I not to? It doesn't matter who they are, I can work with anybody as long as it is beneficial to the people. Pride is just 'pride chicken')," the mayor said during the distribution of free dentures to Manila's senior citizens.

He explained that he had moved on with his life and had forgiven those who hurt his feelings, even those who threw accusations at him, stressing that the people had long before belied those claims through democracy.

"Kung gusto nila mag-move on, then let's come together and move on and deliver what we promised to our people. Dito ang importante eh ang tao. Yung damdamin ko okay lang yun, maghihilom din naman ang sugat eh one way or another. Pero yung opportunity to develop the city sa kapakinabangan ng tao is my outmost concern (If they want to move on, then let's come together and move on and deliver what we promised to our people. The people are more important than my feelings. The wounds will heal one way or another. But the opportunity to develop the city for the benefit of the people is my utmost concern)," Domagoso noted.

The mayor had a tiff with Chua following the closure of an "illegal" construction project allegedly spearheaded by the solon in Barangay 334 on Aug. 21 for lack of permit and approval from the city government. A "word war" ensued.

But on Aug. 30, Chua, together with 1st District Rep. Ernix Dionisio and 5th District Rep. Irwin Tieng, met with Domagoso at the City Hall to seek the city government's approval for their proposed programs.

"Tulad ng pagdalaw sa atin ni 4th District Congresswoman Giselle Maceda kamakailan, ang tatlo nating mambabatas ay naglahad din ng kani-kanilang inisyatiba sa kanilang distrito, bagay na aking ipinagpapasalamat (Just like how 4th District Congresswoman Giselle Maceda visited us recently, our three legislators also presented their respective initiatives in their districts, something I am grateful for)," the mayor said.

"Hangad natin na mapabilis ang delivery ng basic services sa mga taga Maynila sa pamamagitan ng tulungan ng national at local government officials sa kapitolyo ng ating bansa (We seek to expedite the delivery of basic services to the people of Manila through the cooperation between national and local government officials in our nation's capital)," he added.