Former officials’ kin face off in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — Candidates running for the top post in Manila are all relatives of former city officials.

Among the contenders for the post that will be vacated by presidential candidate Mayor Isko Moreno are Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, daughter of former vice mayor Danilo Lacuna; Christy Lim, daughter of the late former mayor and senator Alfredo Lim; Alex Lopez, son of former mayor Gemiliano “Mel” Lopez, and former congressman Amado Bagatsing, son of former mayor Ramon Bagatsing.

During the introduction of his slate on Thursday, Bagatsing hit Lacuna for being an “angkas” or hitchhiker as Moreno’s vice mayor, citing her alleged lack of experience.

Bagatsing, who lost his bid for mayor in 2016 and vice mayor in 2019, said Lacuna “did not have a record of being an administrator in Manila.”

Lacuna seemingly clapped back at Bagatsing, saying she has been in government for 27 years, “nine years as councilor and three years as director of the Manila department of social welfare.”

She added that she was fortunate that Moreno made her a partner in all of Manila’s programs and projects.

Lim wants to prove that she would not back out of the mayoral race, contrary to reports.

Lopez said actor Raymond Bagatsing will remain his running mate after Raymond and his uncle, Amado, were seen at an event.

Aside from Lacuna, Bagatsing, Lim and Lopez, former police official Elmer Jamias and independent candidate Onofre Abad are listed as candidates for mayor.