VP Sara Duterte Shows Support for Isko Moreno’s Manila Comeback
SARA DUTERTE – Vice President Sara Duterte energized Isko Moreno’s mayoral campaign with her appearance at a rally in Tondo.
In an unexpected political development, Vice President Sara Duterte attended the campaign rally of former Manila mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Thursday, subtly indicating her support for his attempt to return to city hall in the 2025 midterm elections.
Addressing residents in Tondo, Manila, Duterte refrained from giving an outright endorsement but warmly referred to Domagoso as “our beloved mayor of Manila.” She also thanked him for providing a platform for her allies, particularly Senator Imee Marcos and former government official Jimmy Bondoc, to campaign for Senate seats.
“I thank our beloved mayor of Manila, Isko Moreno Domagoso, for lending the stage and the microphone to the Duterte senatorial candidates,” Duterte said in Filipino during the proclamation event for Yorme’s Choice party’s District 2 slate.
Prior to his 2019–2022 tenure as Manila’s chief executive, Domagoso served under Duterte’s administration, holding roles as CEO of North Luzon Railways Corporation and as an undersecretary at the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Moreno faces stiff competition in his bid to reclaim the mayorship, contending with incumbent Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, Representative Sam Verzosa of the Tutok to Win party-list, and several other challengers.
During the same event, Duterte took swipes at certain Manila lawmakers who had been instrumental in moves to impeach her. She targeted District 2 Representative Rolando Valeriano and District 3 Representative Joel Chua, questioning their competence and understanding of government protocols.
“Where can you find a lawyer who does not know who appoints the DepEd undersecretary? Well, here in Manila, you can find Joel Chua,” she quipped, eliciting laughter from the crowd.
Duterte also called on voters to be wise in choosing their leaders, criticizing the Marcos administration’s P20-per-kilo rice initiative in the Visayas as an election tactic.
In a humorous twist, Duterte removed the seal of the Office of the Vice President from the podium, joking it might soon be replaced by the Office of the President’s emblem, drawing cheers from supporters.
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