COMEBACKING Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso took his oath of office last Monday before Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Kho Jr.
Moreno said he took his oath at 2 p.m. at the SC en banc Session Hall.
He was accompanied by his wife Dynee and children Patrick, Frances, Franco and Joaquin, who also took his oath before Kho as Manila’s 1st District Councilor-elect.
Moreno defeated his opponents in the May 12 elections, incumbent Mayor Honey Lacuna Pangan and Congressman Sam Verzosa by a wide margin.
He apologized to his supporters who wanted to attend, explaining that he wanted to complete the oath-taking swiftly so he could begin working promptly at noon on June 30.
In a social media post, Moreno vowed a more responsive City Hall and immediate actions to address challenges and problems confronting the city.
“The Domagoso administration is determined not to waste any time, as the City of Manila faces numerous challenges that require urgent attention and focus,” Moreno said, adding the overwhelming support he received from voters in the recent election “reflects the Manileños’ strong desire to restore a 24/7 government known for fast action and effective solutions.”
Moreno said he wanted to hit the ground running on his first day as mayor and promised to make the city “great again.”
“Ito ang magiging direksiyon ng ating administrasyon: pamahalaang uunahin ang kapakinabangan ng taumbayan, hindi magiging magarbo sa mga pagdiriwang at sa halip ay maingat na gugugulin ang pera ng bayan para sa mas mahahalagang pagkakagastusan, gaya ng pagtugon sa minimum basic needs ng bawat Manileño (This will be the direction of my administration: a government that will prioritize the welfare of my constituents, one that will shun costly celebrations by spending public money wisely and on the minimum basic needs of every Manileño),” he said.
He added that the city government will provide residents with a safer environment, decent housing, quality education, modern hospital facilities, and well-paying jobs.
Moreno earlier vowed a clean and stable Manila if he regained his old post.
In his talk with members of the Filipino-Chinese business community last February, he recalled that during his first stint as Manila mayor from 2019 to 2022, he maintained the tax rates in the city while also implementing a tax amnesty program for delinquent taxpayers.
Moreno also pledged to bring back his cleanliness program.
Lacuna earlier said Moreno left the city indebted to the tune of over P17 billion during his term, adding it would take the city government up to 20 years to pay the debt.
She said her administration earmarked P2.3 billion this year to pay part of the debt left by Moreno.
In Makati City, outgoing Mayor Abby Binay administered the oath of office to incoming officials in a ceremony at Makati City Hall yesterday afternoon.
Among those who took their oath were Vice Mayor-elect Kid Peña, 1st District Congresswoman-elect Monique Lagdameo, and 2nd District Congressman-elect Dennis Almario.
