Moreno’s campaign manager Lito Banayo and chief campaign strategist of presidential candidate Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso on Thursday said the Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer is not imploding and being destructive self-destructive in his series of attacks against rival Vice Presidential Leni Robredo.
Banayo stressed that it is only those in the A and B classes, or what he considered as “intellectuals, the political analysts” who are making these observations.
However, Banayo said that it is a different story when it comes to the C, D, and E classes or the poor and the marginalized.
“Candor, frankness, being what you really are is more treasured by the FIlipino electorate, especially the poor and the marginalized than choosing your words to please your audience,” Banayo said, in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel.
“I’m not saying it’s helping but I dispute the fact that the statement or the opinion of some it is backfiring against him. Let’s wait for the results in the May 9 elections,” Banayo added.
According to him, Moreno is just being candid and honest about his feelings, which may have been hurt with the insinuations and lies spread against him even way back in 2021 when he declared his intention to run for the presidency.
“Maybe Isko is really hurt by all the insinuations ,all the lies being spread against him, all the pressures that the echo chamber the yellow pinks have done in this campaign,” he said.
The Manila City mayor has been drawing flak since he called on Robredo to “make the supreme sacrifice” and withdraw from the May 9 presidential race, claiming that he and one of his other rivals for the presidency could have a better chance of winning against former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Moreno called for Robredo’s withdrawal from the presidential race during a joint press conference held on Easter Sunday with fellow presidentiables Senator Panfilo Lacson and former national security adviser Norbert Gonzales.
Moreno has since called Robredo the “godmother of bullies” and “No. 1 bully” and refused to apologize for his remarks.
In Bohol, supporters flock to Moreno’s concert-rally in Tagbilaran City
Estimated to reach more than 40,000 at its peak and composed mostly of youth supporters and ordinary people, the crowd packed the venue despite the absence of famous local artists and personalities just to hear the young and charismatic Moreno, who is from their ranks.
The 47-year-old presidential aspirant acknowledged the resilience of Boholanons who, like him, triumphed through all the hardships that fate had thrown their way.