Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan reaffirmed her commitment to honest and reliable leadership as she led the campaign for the Asenso Manileño party.
Lacuna-Pangan, who is seeking re-election, declared that she and her team will continue to govern with principles of honesty, integrity, and dedication to the people.
"Tapat, totoo... hindi korap, hindi manloloko, hindi mang-iiwan (Honest, true... not corrupt, not a deceiver, not one who abandons)," she stated, emphasizing the core values that she and her team uphold.
These words echoed through the crowd of more than 12,000 supporters in the Earnshaw area.
In her speech, she reflected on the journey she and the Asenso Manileño team have shared with the people of Manila. “Tatlong taon na ang nakaraan, dito sa lugar na ito tayo nagsimulang mangarap at unang gumawa ng kasaysayan. Ngayon, narito na naman tayo, na muling humaharap sa Diyos at sa inyo. Dito sa Sampaloc, kung saan unang minahal ng mga batang Sampaloc, ang kanilang konsehala, ang inyong doktora, ang ginawa ninyong kauna-unahang babaeng alkalde ng lungsod ng Maynila (Three years ago, here in this place, we started to dream and make history. Now, we are here again, standing before God and you. Here in Sampaloc, where the children of Sampaloc first loved their councilor, your doctor, the first female mayor you elected in the City of Manila)," she said, acknowledging the people’s trust in her leadership.
In the proclamation rally held last Friday in Sampaloc, Manila, there were several key figures, including Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto, five incumbent Congressmen, and majority of the members of the Manila City Council—all running under her slate.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has officially recognized Asenso Manileño as the dominant ruling party in Manila.
In front of the packed crowd, she emphasized the importance of family and unity, vowing that her administration would continue to serve the people with sincerity.
“Sa harap mismo ng simbahan ng Loreto, mangangako tayo na sa ating pamilya, walang iwanan! Dahil ang nang-iiwan sa pamilya, ay nang-iiwan sa sambayanan (Right in front of the Loreto Church, we make a promise that in our family, no one will be left behind! Because those who leave their family, will leave the nation),” she declared passionately.
The mayor also addressed the accomplishments of her first term and the ongoing work to address the needs of Manileños. “Napakarami na nating nagawa at hindi tayo papayag na ang mga ito’y maliitin o insultuhin, ninuman. Hindi man perpekto, ang Maynila natin ay hindi dugyot. Ang Maynila natin ay puno ng pangako at pag-asa (We’ve already accomplished so much, and we will not allow anyone to belittle or insult these achievements. Our Manila may not be perfect, but it is not filthy. Our Manila is full of promise and hope)," she said, stressing the positive changes in the city.
She also highlighted the priorities of the people of Manila.
“Ang sabi ng mga mamamayan, hindi semento o ilaw ang hinahanap nila kundi trabaho. Ang sabi ni lolo’t lola, hindi lata ng gatas ang hinihingi nila kungdi benepisyo. At ang sabi ng mga vendor sa Divisoria, hindi permiso ang hinihiling nila kundi kapanatagan na hindi na muling babalik ang mga nangongotong sa kanila (The citizens say they are not looking for cement or lights, but jobs. The grandparents say they are not asking for cans of milk, but benefits. And the vendors in Divisoria say they are not asking for permits, but assurance that the extortionists will never return), ” she shared.
As she continued to rally support for the Asenso Manileño party, Lacuna made a passionate plea to the people of Manila, ensuring that her commitment to service would not waver.
With fervor and conviction, she concluded her speech with an emotional promise to her constituents: "Kasama ang Diyos at bayan bilang ating saksi, hinding-hindi ko kayo pababayaan. Lalong-lalo na, ni sa panaginip, ay hinding-hindi ko kayo iiwan... dahil tayo ay tapat. Hindi tayo korap. Tayo ay totoo, hindi tayo manloloko (With God and the people as our witnesses, I will never let you down. Especially, I will never leave you, not even in my dreams... because we are honest. We are not corrupt. We are true, we are not deceivers)."
Her words were met with resounding cheers, as the crowd expressed their unwavering support for the Asenso Manileño team.
As the campaign continues, her administration pledged to keep Manila a city of integrity, service, and where hope resonates strongly with the citizens who believe in her leadership.