Presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso said he will appoint as secretary of the Department of National Defense a flag officer from the Navy who has the expertise in guarding the country’s borders and preventing the entry of illegal drugs.
“So, you know for the first time in history, I will appoint from the Navy as secretary of national defense. Why? Because we are an archipelagic country,” Moreno said, during the Presidential One-on-One Interviews with entertainment host Boy Abunda recently.
The 47-year-old presidential aspirant pointed out that since President Rodrigo Duterte came into power in 2016, his war on drugs made it harder for those operating shabu laboratories to continue manufacturing illegal drugs that as sold in the streets.
Moreno, however, said that despite the relentless effort of the Duterte government to eradicate the drug problem in the country, the illegal drug trade continues to flourish as supply enter through our borders by the bulk.
“In fairness to President Duterte, it would have been very difficult if not gone, the drugs would have almost disappeared on the road. Second thing that I have to give to President Duterte, manufacturing in the Philippines is gone. There used to be apprehension in the posh subdivision. Manufacturing is gone. But the thing I found out is that bulk (of illegal drugs) is coming here,” Moreno noted.
“So, there must be something wrong with our borders. There must be something wrong with our ports because if there is no more manufacturing, it is difficult to sell, but why we come and catch, 48 kilos, 40 kilos, 5 kilos? So, I think it’s high time for us to address our boundaries, our entries—the port or entries. Then, when no one is planting, no one is entering, naturally, there are no drugs available,” said Moreno, who realized the need to appoint a Navy Officer to the DND secretary.
Asked by Abunda if he considers the Philippines a “narco-state,” the Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer said that despite the challenges being faced by the government in fighting illegal drugs, the Philippines cannot be considered a narco-state similar to known narco-countries Mexico and Colombia.
“First of all, I don’t believe that we are a narco country, unlike the Colombian era in the ’70s, and ’80s. We have not reached that far. It
can destroy a country,” Moreno stressed.
Narco-state is a political and economic term applied to countries where all legitimate institutions have been penetrated by the power and wealth of the illegal drug trade. The term was first used to describe Bolivia following the 1980 coup of Luis Garcia Meza which was primarily financed by narcotics traffickers.
Other well-known examples of narco-states are Mexico and Colombia, where drug cartels produce, ship and sell drugs such as cocaine.
On the question whether he will continue President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, Moreno said he is open to that, but it will not be
bloody, and he will have a different approach similar to what he did in Manila.
Moreno had said in earlier interviews that there will be no EJKs (extrajudicial killings) in his version of the war on drugs.
During the interview, Moreno once again reiterated that he never tried taking any kind of drugs especially during his youth as he was aware of the negative effects to one’s body.
Moreno also said despite pressure from some of his friends to try it, he didn’t succumb to them “Never. Not solvent, not shabu, not damo, sudoplex, pidol, corex tapos cocaine. I don’t them because I don’t want to lose your head,” he said.
Meanwhile, netizens praised Moreno for his firm stand against the legalization of abortion in the country, especially on women getting
pregnant through rape.
The wife of Pangasinan Vice Governor Mark Lambino, lawyer Melani Lambino, even posted on her Facebook account praising the 47-year-old presidential aspirant for his tough stance against abortion, insisting that only God can take the life of any human being.
“VP L (Vice President Leni Robredo) said she is against abortion but will push for new laws and open to decriminalization of abortion? BBM (Bongbong Marcos) said he is against abortion but only in rare instances /severe cases abortion is allowable,” said Lambino, who is
also an active officer of the Women’s Club in Pangasinan and whose father-in-law is a staunch supporter of Sara Duterte.
“No to abortion. Yes, to life,” said Lambino, who admitted she is confused in the position of one candidate saying no to abortion but is
open for decriminalization of abortion.
Moreno made his intention not to allow pregnant rape victims the choice of legal and safe abortion during the 2022 Presidential
One-On-One Interviews with talk-show host Boy Abunda aired on January 27.
Among the candidates so far interviewed by Abunda, Lambino said it was Moreno who has a solid stand on abortion and choose to value dignity of the human life.
Another Facebook user by the name of Angellyn Bunales also commended the presidential candidate for giving value to one’s life.
“Abortion is not a solution. If you don’t want the child, let the child live and have another family/state to take care of them. If
there are rescuer for dog or cat, there is also for (human) baby?” she commented.
During the interview, Moreno said nobody has the right to take away the life of another because this was given by God himself.
“Nope. Life is life to me. Same thing that I apply to criminals, due process of law will be observed. Equal opportunity, equal chance. The
same thing when I value the lives of suspected criminals, their human right to due process. The same manner is applied to any life. I don’t like taking life,” Moreno stressed.
“So, I don’t want abortion, but I am pro-choice in terms of other things like ‘what is accessible’ that the state will provide for family planning. But when there is life already, nobody should take it away because God has given it. That’s my personal belief,” the Aksyon
Demokratiko standard-bearer said.
Netizens also praised Mayor Isko for the way he answered questions presented to him during the 2022 Presidential One-On-One Interviews with talk-show host Boy Abunda.
Regardless whether the topic is about the Environment, on the fight against Covid-19, Poverty, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), Cyber-pornography, Rape-related abortion, Illegal Drugs, National Debt, and the West Philippine Sea, the 47-year-old presidential aspirant stood out and gave a good impression of himself.
Some of those who commended Moreno even said that since making himself available for the presidential interviews, they are now convinced that he is the right choice to become the next leader of our country.
A netizen identified as Angela Christi, said the 47-year-old Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer was “So sincere, transparent, articulate and spontaneous” when he answered the questions thrown at him.
She also said that Moreno was “Direct to the point, humble, God-fearing, compassionate, proactive, hands-on, realist, goal
oriented and smart” during the presidential interview.
“Plans are futuristic, clear, concrete, attainable, scalable, and doable. Impressive! Good luck and God bless my future president,” she said in a comment she posted on social media site Facebook.
Another Facebook user identified as Ana Carderas, said the way Moreno speaks when he answers questions, the way he sits, and the manner he moves his hands and his body movements when he wants to stress his points, only proves how true a leader he is.
“Well, the most important of all is, he can clearly explain his answers. Good job Yorme,” she said.