Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso skipped the launch of the cash aid distribution at the Jose Abad Santos High School in Binondo on Wednesday as he was feeling unwell, a city official said.
Ma. Asuncion “Re” Fugoso, officer-in-charge of the Manila Department of Social Welfare, said Moreno has a cough and colds.
Fugoso said Moreno has yet to be tested for COVID-19.
“I hope it’s not COVID-19 because there’s a lot to do,” she said.
Fugoso said Moreno and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, who recently tested positive for the coronavirus, were always working together.
Lacuna, a physician who is fully vaccinated against the virus, is now confined at the Sta. Ana Hospital.
Meanwhile, Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla defended Domagoso against criticism from President Rodrigo Duterte about his acting and modeling past, saying the Manila mayor did not deserve the personal attacks from higher government officials.
“What’s important is that Yorme (Domagoso’s nickname as mayor) never lied, did not steal, kill nor did he ever bring shame to the great people of Manila as a public servant,” Remulla stressed in a Facebook post.
Remulla and Domagoso were at loggerheads over the issue of financial aid for former Manila residents relocated to Naic town in Cavite, which they have since patched up.
The President, in his televised meeting on Monday night, had scathing remarks for a mayor in Metro Manila he did not name, criticizing the local government official for his “steamy photos” and asking Filipinos to think twice before voting for someone “who was trained to be a call boy.”
“It is just unfortunate that the attacks are very personal and something that should have not been brought up in an avenue such as his meeting, late night address,” Remulla added.
Domagoso’s new political party, Aksyon Demokratiko, hit back at Duterte for politicizing the handout of cash aid to areas under enhanced community quarantine.
Part of the President’s criticism of the unnamed LGU official was the chaotic scramble for vaccinations in the city of Manila owing to “fake news” people would not receive cash aid or “ayuda” for the ongoing two-week ECQ if they did not get jabbed.
In a statement, Aksyon Demokratiko secretary-general Ernest Ramel Jr. also said if Domagoso decided to run for President in the 2022 elections, the party will prioritize him as its standard bearer.
“Of course, Mayor Isko joined us. Like what I’ve said when and if he decides, it will be a priority of the party,” assured Ramel.
He said the Manila mayor has not categorically said anything about running for President or Vice President, “but of course, when that happens, the party will surely back him up.”
Duterte had said through presidential spokesperson Harry Roque that Domagoso was one of his preferred choices to succeed him as President. But after the Manila mayor left the administration-allied National Unity Party for Aksyon Demokratiko, Domagoso seems to have fallen out of favor with the Chief Executive.