Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno" Domagoso on Tuesday, Oct. 14, said Filipinos must not be afraid to guide their leaders and tell them if they are making a mistake.

“Guide your leaders. Don’t be afraid to tell them, ‘Boss, mukhang sablay ’yan (that looks like a mistake),’” Domagoso said.

Speaking before delegates to the 14th Philippine Professional Summit held at The Manila Hotel, he called on Filipino professionals to play a more active role in governance and urged them to speak the truth and help steer public policy in the right direction.

Domagoso emphasized the need for both political will and professional competence in leadership.

“It will be better to be surrounded by professionals in terms of delivery of services and programs and planning, because the guts of doing it belongs to the leader, but the proper way to do it belongs to the professionals,” he said.

Addressing members of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the broader professional community, the mayor encouraged them not to hesitate in speaking up when necessary.

Domagoso, who was re-elected in June following a landslide victory, said the summit’s theme, “Future-Proofing Filipino Professionals for Global Economic Growth,” reflects his own belief in merit-based governance.

“In Manila, we practice meritocracy. We respect our professionals,” he said, highlighting how local experts were behind the city’s digital transformation and modernization efforts, including the Go Manila system.

He also expressed concern over the persistence of corruption, attributing part of the problem to the silence of professionals in the face of wrongdoing.

“The more professionals we have, the fewer corrupt politicians we’ll have,” Domagoso said in Filipino.

“We can’t undo what has happened before, but we can plan what we do today for tomorrow. Always way forward,” he added.

Encouraging greater involvement in public affairs, Domagoso acknowledged that while some leaders may be self-absorbed, many are still open to feedback.

“Not all leaders are ‘BBS’ bilib na bilib sa sarili (too full of oneself),” he said. “There are still those who have guts and focus, but who also know how to listen when it’s time to listen.”

He concluded by reminding professionals that nation-building is a shared duty.

“The country needs you. The world will see the Philippines, especially the City of Manila, as a community of professionals,” he said.

“One day, when you’re old and looking back, you’ll ask yourself, ‘Why didn’t I do it when I had the chance?’ So do something today. Always way forward.”