Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said that he has no plans of seeking the presidency in 2022 despite President Duterte lauding his leadership.
During the sidelines of “GoNegosyo,” a business forum held at the Manila Polo Club in Manila, Domagoso was urged by ambassadors and business leaders to run for the country’s highest post.
“It is not in my radar. To entertain these thoughts also gives uncertainty in our direction,” he said. “I think I would rather focus, use all my available energy and some simple concept of mind in the city of Manila,” he added.
The Manila mayor clarified that he had been attending business meetings and forums to “market the city of Manila” not to campaign for the presidency.
“I’m happy and honored to speak before any organization. If I can market the City of Manila, why not?” he said.
Presidential adviser for entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion said he invited the mayor in the business forum to “keep an eye for talent, people who inspire people from different walks of life.”
“GoNegosyo has been doing the same communication strategy as yours. You are creating an impression for other mayors to step up, shape up…to reach your standard,” Concepcion told Domagoso.
Domagoso also asked the business leaders to go back and invest in Manila.
“There about 1,600 plus mayors in the country. I’m not special, but Manila is special. You have better buildings in BGC, Capital Commons, Greenfield, UP Technohub. They have all the developments. Tourism is the character of Manila,” he said.
“Go back to Manila. Buy properties in Escolta. I will give you delayed gratification and give you 100 percent tax free for 15 years. Why? I want to change the skyline of Escolta but no one wants to buy because it’s rotten,” he added.
Domagoso assured that the nation’s capital will be different “from the Manila you knew three months ago.”
“People need certainty in policy, particularly in business. You don’t change the rules in the middle of the ball game,” Domagoso said.
He also bared that he plans to launch the “GoManila” app where all the data in the city would be available in the hands of the people.
“Our 275 cameras, are in your hands. You do not have to wait for DZMM or MMDA for traffic reports. Then my next plan would be a job portal,” he said.
“Maybe in a couple of months, GoManila app, it will be free. I am going to get it for free. I know how to sell transaction-based programs for you to earn. There are so many windows of opportunity,” he added. (Erma Edera)