Isko appeals for calm, healing

MANILA, Philippines — After winning by a landslide, Manila mayor-elect Isko Moreno has appealed for calm and healing following Monday’s midterm elections. 

“We can make Manila great again,” Moreno said on Tuesday, borrowing US President Donald Trump’s campaign slogan. 

“Let’s start healing this time,” he told his supporters after being proclaimed winner at the session hall of the Manila city council. 

Moreno won the mayoralty race with 530,825 votes, beating Mayor Honey Lacuna and party-list Rep. Sam Verzosa. 

Lacuna and Moreno’s relationship turned bitter during the campaign, with the city’s first female mayor pointing out the P17.8-billion debt she inherited after Moreno sought the presidency in 2022.