IF elected president, Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer Isko Moreno Domagoso said he wants former ambassador and Team Isko chief campaign strategist Lito Banayo in his Cabinet as he vowed to appoint persons in government based on qualifications regardless of their political leanings or color.

“Of course, I’ll be happy to appoint Ambassador Lito Banayo. And I want him to be part of the government. I want people who are good in their respective fields of undertaking as I have promised the people. The basis of appointment is meritocracy ay magaling ka sa field of undertaking. Kahit dilaw ka iha-hire kita. Kahit pula ka iha-hire kita. Kasi ang mahalaga sa akin ‘yung kapakinabangan ng taumbayan,” Moreno told reporters in Bacolod City during a campaign sortie last Thursday.

The 47-year-old presidential candidate explained that it’s important for him and the rest of his Cabinet to work fast but efficient considering the many problems our people are facing now due to the high cost of fuel, electricity, food, etc. He vowed to put persons in government wo really care for the welfare of the people, especially the poor.

Asked what position he will give to the veteran political strategist where he can be more efficient if he wins in the May 9 polls, the Manila city mayor said: “Basta ako, manalo muna tayo. I’ll cross the bridge when I get there. But in my mind, I have something but, ayokong pangunahan ang taumbayan, kung ano magiging desisyon ng taumbayan sa Mayo,” Moreno said.

In a taped interview by CNN Philippines’ “In Private” hosted by Pinky Webb which aired last Wednesday, Moreno said in the first 100 days of his administration, he will immediately fill up the bureaucracy with people who can excel in their respective fields of undertaking and based on meritocracy.

Those on the other side of the fence who belong to the camps of his opponents will also be considered for a government post, he said.

Aside from Banayo, the local chief executive said that his running mate Doc Willie Ong will have a position in his Cabinet regardless if he wins or not in his vice presidential bid.

“My appointments will be color blind because again, sabi ko nga sayo, hindi ko kaaway ang pula, hindi ko kaaway ang dilaw. In fact, may ina-eye na kong dalawang tao sa dilaw, meron din akong dalawang taong ina-eye sa pula,” Moreno pointed out.

Moreno, however, refused to identify the names of the other personalities coming from the red and yellow/pink sides he intends to appoint in his administration. He said one of the people he is eyeing to appoint is a financial expert while the other is good at law, both from the yellow/pink side.

“E yung two more nandun sa kabilang dako. I don’t want to create animosities within their group. But I do believe in that guy saka yung babae na yon,” Moreno said.

“Sa dilaw, kakampink, oo. Yellow pink na lang. Magaling sa finances at magaling sa batas. (They are) in their campaign team. Kaya ayokong pangalanan kasi nakakahiya naman. But, given a chance, I’ll ask him,” he said.

With regard to who he will appoint as his finance secretary, Moreno said: “Marami naman dyan. Marami. That’s the least of my problem, appointing good people, based on their merits, based on their skills, and experience in the past.”

The discussion also touched on Amb. Banayo, who he said will definitely be with him in Malacanang Palace if he becomes president of the country . He said a position as an executive secretary could be a possibility given his outstanding track record in government service.

“It can be. But, it’s closer to me. It’s gonna be closer to me. Because you know, Ambassador Lito Banayo was part of the revolution. In fact, go-to person siya ni (Benigno)(Ninoy (Aquino Jr.) at ni (Salvador) Laurel at that time. At marami na siyang nadaanang presidente at iba’y nakasama niya. And he has experienced winning and losing. So, you need these kinds of people that are battle-tested because, in times of war, that separates the men from the boys. So, you need good men to help you confront a problem and there are so many problems,” Moreno explained.

On the question by the host about how he decides whom to trust and if he easily believes people around him, Moreno said being a result-oriented person, what matters most to him is the result.

Moreno, however, stressed that if the person is hounded with corruption issues despite being able to deliver on the task given to him/her, they have no place for them in government.

“No, no, no. Of course not. As much as possible, we would like to dream of living in wonderland. We wantto create a perfect world. But we know for a fact, here is no perfect world. That’s why yung naalala mo nung sabi ko sayo, sabi ng teacher e, sabi, you cannot solve corruption. And the only way for corruption to die is to limit human discretion in government transactions,” Moreno said.

Moreno previously called on the public to give the country a chance to have a government that is operated by a reliable and honest chief executive who will work hard for them so that they can have a bright and better future.

“Bigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang ating bayan magkaroon ng gobyernong tratrabahuhin ang kinabukasan mo. Iba naman ang piliin natin,” Moreno told the crowd of about 15,000 who converged at the Bacolod Public Plaza for the grand campaign rally on Thursday night.

As an alternative candidate for voters who will choose their next president in the polls, Moreno said if the people want to have peace of mind and are already tired of the decades-old feud between the Marcoses and Aquinos, they then should choose him as their next leader.

“Mag-ingat kayo, huwag kayong masyadong… basta bilin na lang natin yung peace of mind. Di pa huli ang lahat mga kababayan, huwag tayo magpadalos-dalos, I get things done. May awa ang Diyos,” he said.

If he wins the presidency, Moreno will address poverty, hunger, unemployment, inequality, and social injustice through an inclusive and equitable infrastructure development program as spelled out under his 10-point Bilis Kilos Economic Agenda.