MANILA, Philippines — Former Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso is seeking a mayoral comeback in the 2025 elections as he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Tuesday.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Moreno announced that he will be running as mayor of Manila City. Chi Atienza will be his running mate as vice mayor.
“Samahan po ninyo akong muli. Let’s make Manila great again! Dinidinig ko po ang panawagan ninyo, tatakbo po akong mayor sa darating na halalan,” the post read.
(Please join me again. Let’s make Manila great again! I am heeding your calls, I am running as mayor in the next elections.)
READ: Isko Moreno told Lacuna of possible mayoralty run in Manila months ago
Moreno will be running against incumbent Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna, his former ally and running mate in the 2019 elections. Lacuna filed her COC for mayor last Thursday.
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Lacuna previously said that Moreno informed her about his plan to return as the city’s chief local executive.
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The former allies were recently caught up in a verbal exchange as the incumbent mayor said “Don’t come back” in Filipino when asked about the former mayor’s plan to return to politics.
Moreno, when asked about his reaction, said: “Peace be with you.”
A survey conducted by OCTA Research said that Moreno would win Manila’s mayoral race against Lacuna if the elections were held from July 8 to 10. Moreno would lead by 86 percent of votes, while Lacuna garnered just eight percent.
READ: Isko Moreno leads by 78 points vs Lacuna in race for Manila mayor – OCTA
Moreno ran for president in the 2022 elections and ranked 4th in the 10-man race. He also endorsed Lacuna’s mayoral bid in the same election cycle.