Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso aka Isko Moreno expressed hopes that all other banks would learn a lesson from the Metrobank Binondo branch robbery holdup wherein all the robbers escaped even after policemen responded two minutes after the incident.
“In a matter if two minutes, our policemen were there. But nobody wanted to talk. They remained silent, talking about a bank protocol,” a dismayed Domagoso said.
He said the call for police assistance was received at 9:18 a.m. and the Manila Police District policemen arrived at the scene at 9:20 a.m.
He attributed police’s “quick action” to the clearing operations of the major thoroughfares or major arteries in the city which were carried out immediately after he assumed office as Manila mayor.
But Domagoso has maintained that had the bank personnel spoken and talked about the suspects, responding policemen could have easily rounded up the perpetrators.
He admitted though that it was quite difficult to get through Del Pan bridge because of the heavy trucks traversing the roads. He also cited the nearby police precinct where policemen can put a drag net.
“But that’s already water under the bridge,” said Domagoso who has joined the ranks of the country’s “rock star” as described by former US Ambassador to Manila Sung Kim.
In praising the new Manila Mayor during a Domagoso’s visit at the US Embassy in Manila last Friday, Kim told Domagoso, “You are a total rock star.”
Kim commended Domagoso for bringing 0“new dynamism and energy to his position.”
The 44-year old mayor recently grabbed headlines for dramatically reforming Manila’s congested roads and markets particularly Divisoria by implementing clearing operations against illegal vendors and other road obstructions.
Kim also acknowledged Domagoso’s approach to the government’s anti-drug campaign that is consistent with human rights and rule of law.
In airing his support for the program, Domagoso has cautioned police to respect human rights.
The US envoy even recalled that Domagoso was a product of US State Department-sponsored International Visitors Leadership Program in 2011.
“We are proud of you being an alumnus. We want to claim that. We have a good success in identifying future leaders. That is one of the few that we are proud of,” Kim said.
Asked by Kim on what keeps the new mayor awake at night, he replied: “My greatest is for the people to accept that chaos is the norm in the city.”
Over the weekend, Sen. Risa Hontiveros lauded Moreno for his “hard work” and accomplishments during his first few weeks in office.
“It’s not in the term extension,” said Hontiveros, saying one will have many accomplishments if one will be working.
Moreno, who was formerly Manila’s vice mayor, has been grabbing a lot of attention as he spearheaded several clean-up efforts and anti-traffic drive in Manila’s busiest areas.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto also noted that Domogoso is the glowing “Exhibit A” of the reality that many of the country’s problems can be solved without having to rewrite the Constitution.
“A change of plans, vision and management style will do wonders and spark change immediately, rather than the untested benefits that Charter change promises to bring,” said Recto.
“It seems that more progress can be wrought by seriously implementing whatever existing laws there are than in rewriting the basic law of the land later,” he added.
On the other hand, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said politicians like Isko make him “look forward to retirement.”
“I hope that I am not speaking too soon. As long as we see the emergence of new leaders like Mayor Isko Moreno, we can look forward to retirement and continue dreaming big for our beloved country,” he said.
“Let us pray that he will not be eaten by the system that consumed many others before him,” said Lacson.
