Isko Moreno vows to clean Manila; Lacuna offers ‘high-quality’ slate

On the first day of the local campaign period on Friday, March 18, 2025, former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso vowed to clean Manila if he wins the mayoral race in May, while his rival and erstwhile ally, Honey Lacuna offered a “high quality’ slate to run the city government. Honey Lacuna (left) and Isko Moreno. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines  — Former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso vowed to clean Manila if he wins the mayoralty race in May, while his rival and erstwhile ally, incumbent mayor Honey Lacuna offered a “high quality’ slate to run the city government.

Domagoso, in a statement on Friday — the first day of the official campaign period for local candidates — said he is running on a platform to “bring back” cleanliness and discipline in the city.

He also said he will bring back the assurance that the city government is awake and doing its job.

“Unang una po, lilinisin ko ulit ang Maynila,” Domagoso said.  “Aalisin ko ang kadugyutan. Magbibigay ulit tayo ng kapanatagan na habang natutulog sila, meron pang gobyerno sa kalsada hanggang madaling araw.”

(First of all, I will clean Manila again.  I will remove the filth.  We will give the people peace of mind that while they are sleeping, the government is on the streets every day and night.)

“Napapakinabangan pa ang mga ginawa natin. Dati squatter ka katulad ko, ngayon pipindot ka na lang ng elevator—‘15th floor, please,’” Domagoso said, referring to his socialized housing project.

(People have benefitted from our actions.  Before, a lot of them were squatters, but now they would just press elevators — and say, 15th floor, please.)

Domagoso was Manila’s mayor from 2019 to 2022, and he opted not to seek reelection in the 2022 elections and instead ran for president but lost to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. However, his return bid will be challenged by a former ally in the person of Lacuna.

Lacuna, in a separate statement on Friday, described her team for the 2025 midterm polls as a “high-quality” slate.

“Dekalidad at respetado ang hanay ng ating mga pambato para sa Kongreso at sa Konseho,” Lacuna said before formally kicking off her reelection bid with a house-to-house campaign in Sampaloc, Manila.

(Our candidates for the council and the Congress are of high quality, and they are respected.)

“We have a balanced mix of professionals, college graduates, exemplary public servants, competent managers, and respected neighbors,” she added.  “The Asenso Manileño slate respects Manila voters, so we fielded high-quality candidates who can be trusted on public management and find solutions to your problems.

Lacuna also attacked candidates from other teams, saying that no one from Asenso Manileño is a convicted criminal, inexperienced, or a fake news peddler.

“Asenso Manileño does not have convicted criminals. We do not have inexperienced trainees. We do not have masterminds of fake news on our slate. Each candidate is our sign of respect to Manila voters. They are genuine people on a mission to make life in Manila better,” Lacuna said.

“We will court voters using our direct and personal approach. We bring to each household our proven sincerity and competence. We come to you with our individual track records, personal reputation, and compassion.  We will shake hands and talk with real Manila voters. We will not engage with trolls because trolls are fake and fictitious bayaran agitators,” she added.

Lacuna did not mention any name, but former basketball star Bong Alvarez — who is seeking a city council seat under Domagoso’s ticket — was arrested for different offenses in the past.  Another city council seat aspirant, former Communications undersecretary Mocha Uson, has been accused several times of spreading misinformation.

Domagoso and Lacuna ran as a tandem in 2019, with the former mayor considering ex-Manila vice mayor Danny Lacuna — the incumbent mayor’s father — a father figure and a mentor.

READ: Manila proclaims Honey Lacuna as capital city’s first female mayor 

However, the alliance collapsed after both ran for mayor in this year’s midterm polls.  Last July 2024, Mayor Lacuna said she was giving Domagoso some time to reconsider his possible mayoral bid.