Poll bets in Manila in mudslinging mode

The kickoff for the 45-day campaign period for candidates of elective positions in the City of Manila became intense with some of them hurling tirades at each other.

- GHIO ONG

Former Manila mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, who seeks to regain the mayoral post, accused the current administration of turning the city into being dugyot (filthy) with crimes getting more common and garbage all over the place.

"It is different when the government doesn't care, especially when the leader doesn't go around to see your condition," he said in Filipino during the proclamation rally of Yorme's Choice party along Moriones Street in Tondo on Friday.

Seemingly responding to his accusations, reelectionist Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan said "even if Manila is not perfect, it is not filthy."

"We will not allow the traitors to put to waste all the services and benefits we gave during our first term," Lacuna-Pangan said during the proclamation rally of Asenso Manileño in Sampaloc, her bailiwick.

Businessman and Tutok to Win Party-list Rep. Sam Verzosa offers himself as an "alternative" as he held an eight-hour motorcade and a program in Tutuban in Divisoria.

Domagoso, Lacuna-Pangan and Verzosa are among the 11 candidates running for the mayoral post.

In Pasay, over 50,000 people participated in the parade and proclamation rally for Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano and the "Team Calixto" slate.