Manila Mayor Isko Moreno is running for president in 2022, his office said Tuesday, capitalizing on the gains of his popular crusade to save the metropolis from decay that he communicated using street slang, earning him the moniker "Yorme".
The 46-year-old former actor, Francisco Domagoso in real life, will go up against the yet to be named bet of President Rodrigo Duterte and Senators Manny Pacquiao and Panfilo Lacson. His planned candidacy was confirmed by the Manila Public Information Office.
Medical doctor Willie Ong will be his running mate, according to the Manila PIO.
Should Moreno win, he will only be the second mayor to go straight to Malacanang from city hall after Duterte in 2016 and the second with a movie star past, after Joseph Estrada in 1998. Moreno defeated former President Estrada in the 2019 Manila mayoralty race after serving as vice mayor.
On the eve of his declaration, Moreno released an advertisement that highlighted his Cinderella story, telling the public "Ako kayo, hindi sumusuko" and featured the working class saying: "Ako si Isko" and "Tayo si Isko."
A frontrunner in surveys on Duterte's possible successors, Moreno had become the subject of Duterte's ire who threw a "callboy" shade at the actor-turned-politician for his sexy star past. Duterte's daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said she would not run to replace her father despite edging out Moreno in the surveys.
The criticism however failed to tarnish Moreno's image as he had been open about his work as an actor and as a garbage boy. From rummaging through restaurants' garbage for leftover food to becoming an actor and later a politician, Moreno has attributed his success to his mindset and hard work.
Prior to entering politics, Moreno was a popular host of then-variety show, “That’s Entertainment” which was produced by the late German Moreno. He later became one of the Seiko jewels and was part of the second wave of TF or "Tittilating Film" hunks, starring in such films as "Tukso, Layuan Mo Ako".
Moreno has served as councilor and vice mayor in Manila, chairman of the board of the North Luzon Railways Corp, and as an undersecretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development before becoming mayor.
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