Poll bets in Manila in mudslinging mode

MANILA, Philippines — The kickoff for the 45-day campaign period for candidates of elective positions in the City of Manila became intense with some of them hurling tirades at each other.

Former Manila mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, who seeks to regain the mayoral post, accused the current administration of turning the city into being dugyot (filthy) with crimes getting more common and garbage all over the place.

“It is different when the government doesn’t care, especially when the leader doesn’t go around to see your condition,” he said in Filipino during the proclamation rally of Yorme’s Choice party along Moriones Street in Tondo on Friday.

Seemingly responding to his accusations, reelectionist Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan said “even if Manila is not perfect, it is not filthy.”

“We will not allow the traitors to put to waste all the services and benefits we gave during our first term,” Lacuna-Pangan said during the proclamation rally of Asenso Manileño in Sampaloc, her bailiwick.

Businessman and Tutok to Win Party-list Rep. Sam Verzosa offers himself as an “alternative” as he held an eight-hour motorcade and a program in Tutuban in Divisoria.

Domagoso, Lacuna-Pangan and Verzosa are among the 11 candidates running for the mayoral post.

In Pasay, over 50,000 people participated in the parade and proclamation rally for Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano and the “Team Calixto” slate.

Calixto-Rubiano, seeking a second term, received endorsements from senatorial candidates Abby Binay and Francis Tolentino.

She is challenged by three-term councilor Wowee Manguerra, who held a proclamation rally on Saturday along Arnaiz Avenue.

In Malabon, Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, also pursuing a second term, conducted a house-to-house campaign with her “Malabon Ahon” slate.

Sandoval, who won by a slim margin in 2022, faces off against Malabon Rep. Jaye Lacson-Noel.

In Taguig, Mayor Lani Cayetano and her slate addressed over 10,000 people at Arca South during their proclamation rally.

The May 12 polls mark the first election in which voters from the 10 enlisted men’s barrios or “embo” barangays will cast their ballots in Taguig.

In Pasig, Mayor Vico Sotto, who is seeking a third consecutive term, was joined by his father Vic Sotto and mother Connie Reyes during a kickoff rally at the Mega Market.

Vico is running against Sara Discaya who canceled a campaign kickoff and opted instead for a solidarity send-off at her team’s headquarters.

In Caloocan, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV painted a gloomy picture of the city as he began an uphill battle to unseat Mayor Along Malapitan.

Trillanes held the second leg of his kickoff campaign yesterday in northern Caloocan as Malapitan held a motorcade in the city’s second district.

Clan wars

Parañaque Rep. Edwin Olivarez’s bid to reclaim his old job as city mayor began on Friday night with a campaign rally at Barangay San Antonio.

Edwin is backed by his brother, Mayor Eric Olivarez, who is running as representative for the first district.

Edwin’s opponent is Eric’s wife, Aileen, who held a motorcade on Saturday along Petron C5 Extension.

Other candidates vying for Parañaque’s top post are Nene Mendoza, Anabel Pantila, Nathan Pineda, Drew Uy and Jun Zaide.

Las Piñas Vice Mayor April Aguilar and her “Green Team” slate met with voters on Saturday at Barangay BF Homes International-CAA.

April aims to succeed her mother, Mayor Imelda Aguilar, as city mayor.

But she must defeat her cousin, former councilor Carlo Aguilar, who is supported by Sen. Cynthia Villar, who seeks to return as Las Piñas representative.

Five other choices are on the ballot: Antonio Abellar Jr., Rolando Barredo Jr., Armando Ducat Jr., Conrado Miranda and Rey Rivera.

Unopposed

Three unopposed mayors still engaged with voters to campaign for their allies.

Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon held an “integrity walk” on Saturday afternoon with his “1Munti” slate, followed by a rally at the South Station Bus Terminal grounds.

Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco roamed around Barangay NBBS Proper while Valenzuela Mayor Wes Gatchalian kicked off his reelection campaign on Friday by meeting voters at Barangay Malinta. — EJ Macababbad, Mark Ernest Villeza