Charles Teves
Presidential aspirant Manila Mayor Isko Moreno couldn’t hold back tears after the turnover of Tondominium I units to Manila poor families on Monday, February 7.
The vertical housing project is the first-ever under his administration.
Moreno hails from Tondo and can sympathize with the less fortunate as he was a squatter who lived in a makeshift home.
After delivering his speech, Moreno turned away as his eyes became visibly watery.
“Sa araw-araw na pamumuhay mo bilang squatter, binabagabag ka kung ‘yung bahay mo, galing ka sa eskuwela bilang bata, kung nakatirik pa pagbalik mo dahil ‘yung lupa, hindi inyo,” said Moreno.
“Ang mga karanasang ito ay isang takot ng bawat tao, pangamba ng bawat tao,” he added. Families qualified were granted a “certificate of unit assignment” by the LGU. The project cost P1 billion which the Manila City
Hall secured from Development Bank of the Philippines.
A unit gives a family 44 square meters to enjoy. The building meanwhile has a sports center, swimming pool, park, and daycare area.
“Nangarap din ako nang sariling mauuwian, umulan o bumagyo, magkaroon ng delubyo , magdildil man kami ng asin, at least yung bahay ay amin,” Moreno said.
Despite accomplishing a huge feat, the public didn’t buy the act displayed by the emotional Moreno. They said Moreno just copied what the prominent male figures of the Duterte administration did to gain support.
https://twitter.com/Pepsicollagen/status/1490634442104131592?s=20&t=I3H5KmvGpAqJpniO2d7cbA
Those male politicians included Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, Sen. Bato dela Rosa, and Sen. Bong Go.
— Nuel (@directfromncn) February 7, 2022
https://twitter.com/BreadLupita/status/1490652552991367175?s=20&t=I3H5KmvGpAqJpniO2d7cbA
It seems Moreno’s acting skills are still at par.
Artista ka nga Mayor.
— lexander⚓ (@confusedmarino) February 7, 2022
Bakit po umiyak? May bagong teleserye!
— Grippen (@grippen_ph) February 7, 2022
Also, Moreno got slammed for his admission to pocketing around P50 million in campaign funds back in the 2016 national elections, where he failed to win a senatorial seat.
https://twitter.com/olimcauco/status/1490622967969349639?s=20&t=iFqkFsuHgbIIBT3Um5oSsg
Before the 2016 election season, Moreno’s net worth was nowhere near what the number is today, prompting the public to speculate that he used the said amount to buy the mansion he now lives in.
https://twitter.com/The_Haskalah/status/1490617397874929666?s=20&t=iFqkFsuHgbIIBT3Um5oSsg
Moreno also called out politicians who never fulfill their campaign promises. He recalled attending political gatherings just so he could eat for free.
“Parang tuwing halalan, ang mga mahihirap laging bida sa kuwentuhan… Pero ‘pag panahon na nang oras ng paglilingkod, hindi naman natin matagpuan ‘yung katotohanan sa likod ng mga salita ng mga kilalang pamilya,” said Moreno.
“Mabigyan lang ako ng pagkakataon, walang maiiwan,” he furthered.
The former poverty-stricken Manila boy still maintains his position against political dynasties that have long ruled the country.
Tondominium II is still under construction while 5 other housing projects have yet to commence.
