A group of political leaders from Northern Luzon has called on Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso to run for president in the 2022 national elections.

The Isko Northern Alliance (INA), together with Ikaw Muna (IM) Pilipinas, issued a joint statement of support for Domagoso during the launch of their alliance on Wednesday, Sept. 15.

(L-R, seated) Natividad, Pangasinan councilor Arbee Zaragoza, Ricky Farińas, INA Lead Convenor Cicero Lumauig, Bong Siquian, and Bauang La Union SB member Warlito Daus Jr.; (L-R, standing) IM Pilipinas National Convenor Tim Orbos and IM Pilipinas Secretary-General Elmer Argano (IM PILIPINAS)

“Malaki ang aming paniniwala sa norte na si Mayor Isko ay may kakayahan maitawid tayo sa pagdurusa na dinadanas natin, kalungkutan, at bangungot ngayon pandemiyang ito at crisis sa ekonomiya (We, in the north, are confident that Mayor Isko will be able to get us through the suffering, sadness, and nightmare that we are going through in this pandemic and economic crisis),” Cicero Lumauig, lead convener of INA, said.

INA is composed of leaders from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, and the Cagayan Valley Region.

Lumauig said there are over six million voters in the north from 15 provinces and 13 cities who will support Domagoso if ever he decides to run for president.

By supporting Domagoso, the alliance also seeks to quash the so-called “Solid North” which heavily supports the Marcoses and their allies during elections.

“As Ilokanos, we will not be denied by our past, but we will be defined by our future...Sama sama po kami na ipaglalaban po ang kabutihan para sa ating bansa at nakikita po namin ito sa isang taong nagngangalang Isko Moreno (We are together in fighting for what is good for the country and we see that in a person named Isko Moreno),” IM Pilipinas National Convenor and former general manager of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Tim Orbos said.

Leaders of local governments in different provinces and cities of Northern Luzon who were present in the alliance launch via Zoom also expressed their support for Domagoso.

‘Close to convincing Isko’

IM Pilipinas, in the same event, said they are “close to convincing” Domagoso to run for president in 2022.

“Malapit na malapit na po tayo sa pagdedesisyon ng ating Yorme para ipahayag ang kanyang pagsagot sa ating hamon na tumakbo bilang presidente (We are very close to convincing our Yorme to heed our call for him to run for president),” Bong Mangahas, IM Pilipinas’ National Convenor and head of Poltiical Affairs, said.

Mangahas said their group has been convincing Domagoso for a very long time already and has expressed its support for the Manila mayor through the launch of its different chapters including INA.

"Abangan natin sa darating na mga araw, palagay ko po ay maririnig iyo na ang matamis na oo ng ating alkade ng Maynila at sasagutin na niya ang hamon mula sa norte hanggang sa Mindanao, ang hamon na pangunahan ang laban ng mga Pilipino para sa susunod na president (Let's wait because I think, in the coming days, we will finally hear the sweet 'yes' of our Manila mayor and he will finally respond to the challenge from people from the north to Mindanao, the challenge to lead the Filipinos' fight for the next president) ,” Mangahas added.

IM Pilipinas also said it will support whoever Domagoso chooses to be his running mate in the upcoming elections, as they have full confidence in the mayor’s decisions.

The Manila Bulletin tried to get Domagoso's reaction but he has yet to respond as of this writing.

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Political leaders from N. Luzon call on Mayor Isko to run for president in 2022