Manila Mayor Isko Moreno says he is not Duterte’s secret candidate and vowed to jail those who committed “plundemic.” Photo by JERRY S. TAN
All involved in ‘plundemic’ will be held liable – Isko
“MGA ADIK.”
This was how Manila Mayor Isko Moreno branded those spreading lies that he is a “secret candidate” of President Rodrigo Duterte, even as he vowed to hold liable those who got involved in “plundemic” or plunder during the pandemic.
“Hindi po totoo ‘yun. Ito naman, malayang bansa. Akala ko ba bawal ang drugs. Ano kaya tinira ‘nun?” Moreno said during an interview that followed the oath-taking of almost 50 local officials and candidates over the weekend with the Aksyon Demokratiko of which he is the party president.
Moreno said he and his running mate Doc Willie Ong are serious candidates who merely want a better Philippines.
“Kami ay kandidato ng Aksyon Demokratiko na nag-apply sa tao, bilang inyong Pangulo, ang inyong lingkod, bilang Pangalawang Pangulo at sampu sa aming mga kasamahang Senador, at mga Konsehal, Governor, Congressman, Vice Mayor, Mayor at mga Board Member,” the mayor said.
In the same interview, Moreno vowed that those who plundered and abused the pandemic situation in the country will be made to answer for their crimes, be they government officials or businessmen.
“Alam mo there is what you call plunder on regular day. But there is also what you call ‘plundemic.’ Plunder in pandemic,” Moreno sighed, stressing the crime is no better than rape.
“Basta papapanagutin natin ang mga nanggahasa sa atin na bahagi ng gobyerno, pati pribadong kompanya na nagkasala, nagnakaw, nang-abuso, at sila ay papapanagutin natin sa mata ng batas.
We are being raped sa pinakamalungkot at kahinaan ng tao. They took advantage of us. Kaya tawag ko dyan plundemic – plunder in pandemic. Di natin sila bibigyan ng mahimbing na tulog,” he vowed.
“We will go after them, isoskpa natin sa oblo pero hindi dahil sa kapritso. Di dahil sa aabusuhin natin ang ating kapangyarihan. Kikilalanin pa rin natin ang mga institusyon ng ating bansa tulad ng husgado. Karapatan ng bawat isa maipagtanggol ang kanilang sarili. Ngunit tayo naman, hindi tayo magkikibit balikat lamang na makakalaya ang sa tingin natin may sala. Yes, they are going to jail if found guilty,” Moreno vowed.
