Tens of thousands of residents lined up the streets of Manila on Tuesday to show their support to Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, a former “basurero” (garbage scavenger) who is now running for president under the Aksyon Demokratiko, the political party built by the late Bicolano Senator Raul Roco.
Even Moreno was overwhelmed by the throng of residents who came out of their homes and lined up in the streets to cheer for him and express their full support for him and his running mate Doc Willie Ong and their three senatorial bets.
“Thank you very much, I was surprised of course. As I have promised you, we wanted a very modest way of doing it. Nothing, you can’t stop the person. I’m very grateful, you know that’s heartwarming? I can’t explain, as long as I’m happy with their warm delivery to us in the 90 days of life that we will embark on in this campaign,” Moreno told reporters who were able to interview him while the caravan was on a standstill.
About 5,000 motorcycle riders wearing blue T-shirts joined the “Blue Wave” caravan that saw Moreno, vice presidential bet Doc Willie Ong, and senatorial candidates Dr. Carl Balita, Samira Gutoc, and Jopet Sison touring the streets of Tondo on top of a medium-sized truck with a makeshift roof.
“And God is merciful. I hope everyone is safe, including my fellow candidates, our opponents, I hope they are also safe, especially with the Covid-19 infection. One of the possibilities that can happen to us as candidates and that goes to everyone,” said the 47-year-old presidential candidate.
Moreno and his Aksyon Demokratiko slate had earlier heard Mass at the Sto. Nino Parish Church in Tondo. It has been the practice of Moreno to always hear Mass at the start of every political campaign or when there is a big event like the filing of his Certificate of Candidacy for president.
The caravan lasted for several hours as the movement of the motorcade around the two districts of Tondo went on a snail-pace with the huge number of people who went out to get a glimpse of their idol—the former 3-term councilor who went on to become a 3-term vice mayor and finally city mayor in 2019.
From Tondo, the motorcade went through Sta. Cruz District and then to Sampaloc District before going to Sta. Ana District which leads to the Kartilya ng Katipunan, the venue of the Aksyon Demokratiko’s proclamation rally.
Informed that thousands of people were also watching their motorcade through his official Facebook page, the Aksyon Demokratiko presidential bet said: “Grabe ang tao, grabe! It can overwhelm. The crowd is great. Ordinary people all came out.”
Moreno said tens of thousands of people lining up along the streets and ignoring the heat just to have a glimpse of him and his team proves that there is a God.
“I told you there is a God, I told you there is a God,” Moreno said.
“Join us for 90 days. We are brave because you are with us.”
Moreno said he chose Tondo to kick-off their campaign as everything starts in Manila, the capital of the country.
“Manila, is it kilometer 0? Everything starts in Manila or look there in Luneta located kilometer 0. So, from here we will try to reach as
many people as possible in the entire country,” he said.
He did not say that there were other kilometer posts marked 0 in the Visayas and in Mindanao.
The presidential bet also expressed confidence that just like in 2016 when then Davao City Mayor and current President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
won the elections and became the leader of the country, he too would also be victorious.
“It has already happened to President Duterte as mayor, so it is possible for every mayor,” Moreno pointed out.
Moreno, meanwhile, assured city residents that his work as local chief executive will not be hampered with the start of the 90-day campaign.
He added Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna was also hands-on when it came to the city government’s effort to protect the people from Covid-19 through their non-stop vaccination drives.
“First of all, I am able and capable. And very hardworking vice mayor and really Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna hands on ‘that’s with us in helping
the people. In fact, earlier when he joined the church, he said that after the motorcade, he would get vaccinated for a long time,” Moreno said.
“I am very proud of her and of course the other department heads and their respective tasks. I am very happy and hope you as much as possible as long as you are my priority,” he said.
If elected president, Moreno said he would address the perennial problems of poverty, hunger, unemployment, inequality, and social injustice in the country by focusing on providing the minimum basic needs of the people—housing, education, health care, and jobs—
through the efficient and prudent management of government resources.
Earlier on, Moreno likened himself to the Biblical David in his fight against political ‘Goliaths’ as he jumpstarted his presidential campaign with a holy Mass at the Sto. Nino parish church in Tondo followed by what supporters called his “Blue Wave” caravan.
“The oldest history is in the Bible. What was said was those tall, mighty high, well-known, strong people would be defeated by David who came from an ordinary family. So, to me history repeats itself. There is also a saying like that. So, may God have mercy,” Moreno said in an
interview after the inauguration and turnover of units of Tondominium 1 in Vitas, Tondo.
According to Moreno, just like David, he believed that after everything had been said and done, he too could beat the Goliaths of
Philippine politics and become the next president of the country.
“Our opponents are giants, but the Bible also says that Goliath was defeated by David. It means to God nothing is impossible and today is
a testimony… this day is a proof that these are fallen, and you were here just so you know, you were all here.”
“You saw this area, didn’t you? This place stinks. Gone is the biting, that’s the exact word, biting stench. Then it became a living space for our countrymen here. So, nothing is impossible,” Moreno said.
He added, in his speech before squatters in Tondo: “For us, I believe, like our countrymen, we all work hard because we believe it is possible for us to rise. We believe in life we can rise in life. We believe in dreams because it is possible for us to achieve our dreams.
“But for this to be possible, you have to take action. So, today it happened, it was fulfilled, it happened, really, and at least our countrymen that I told the day of the campaign and at least they charged me and now they have a receipt, God bless.”
He also told reporters: “(Today) we will surrender ourselves to God.
‘That’s the first thing we’re going to do. We will ask for guidance, Doc Willie and my fellow senators and I will (hear) mass. “Then we will motorcade until noon and then at six o’clock a very simple proclamation rally… modest and simple proclamation.”
Later in the afternoon, a modest and simple proclamation rally would formally start the 90-day campaign period for Moreno and his team at the Kartilya ng Katipunan beside the Manila City Hall. Attendance of guests as well as media men covering the event was strictly limited in observance of health protocols.
Guests were also issued tickets to ensure social distancing.