Mayoral candidates of Manila faced each other and laid their plans during the public forum in De La Salle University: Pili Mo, Pili Ko, Filipino: The Manila Mayoral Candidate Forum on Wednesday. 

Three of the six candidates Amado Bagatsing, Alex Lopez, and Elmer Jamias were present and convinced the voters to vote for them, audience and organizers asked questions to them.

In a public forum, candidates reiterated the urgency of transparent leadership and good governance in the city. Bagatsing said that it is time to uplift Manila and recover the business sector from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Amado Batagsing mentioned the lessons brought by the pandemic, citing the need to prioritize the health of people and build a diagnostic center in the city.

Bagatsing told, “Ilalapit ko sa community ang access sa health facilities at libre.Sa buong Manilenyo aalagaan ko ang kalusugan nila.” He even mentioned to the voters the Kabalikat ng Bayan sa Kaunlaran (KABAKA) foundation which he founded in 1985. The foundation provided medical assistance and conducted outreach programs. 

If elected, Bagatsing promised that he will propose programs to cater to more people in the city. 

Meanwhile, Lopez hit the leadership of Mayor Isko Moreno after the controversial sale of Public Market Divisoria. Lopez said the Disioria had 3, 701 square meters that were sold by the Manila government in 2020 for the amount of PHP1.446 billion, which allegedly had no proper discussion with the vendors who will get affected. 

However, Manila Mayor and Presidential Aspirant Isko Moreno Domagoso, said that the funds are used by the city to aid the effect of COVID-19 by building a Manila COVID-19 Field Hospital and other projects.

Photo Credit: Facebook/Archer’sNetwork