Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso was elected president of Aksyon Demokratiko during its general membership meeting Tuesday night, the political party said in a statement Thursday.
Domagoso, who signed his oath as party member last August 5, thanked and welcomed the party members’ decision to elect him as the president.
The mayor said the party had several meetings before he was accepted into Aksyon Demokratiko.
“I am glad that many of their advocacies are aligned with my local party, Asenso Manileno,” noted Domagoso.
Meanwhile, Malacañang is keeping its distance from the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan’s (PDP-Laban) nomination of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and President Rodrigo Duterte for President and Vice President in the 2022 national elections.
In a virtual press conference, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque declined to comment on the possible Go-Duterte team up under PDP-Laban, saying it’s up for the party to decide and not the Palace.
“When it comes to issues concerning political parties, they have their respective spokespersons. So, I would let the spokespersons of PDP-Laban and Hugpong ng Pagbabago respond to that,” Roque said.
According to the Manila mayor, Aksyon would prioritize the programs for the minimum basic needs, specifically, the projects on housing, job creation, food security, education, and health.
Ernest Ramel, who was also elected as the party’s new chairman, said Aksyon Demokratiko and Domagoso had a “meeting of minds and hearts” in various aspects.
“We agreed on the COVID-19 response to provide jobs and livelihood at these times. We also agreed on the rule of law, focusing on education, housing, and health care. Aksyon is proud that Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso was elected Party President,” said Ramel.
He added that they saw in Moreno “someone with a clean track record, tangible accomplishments, and a vision that the party shares. We are confident that he will be able to help lead the party in its thrust to be a unifying force in an atmosphere of heavy political polarization.”
Ramel earlier said if Domagoso decided to run for President in 2022 elections, they will prioritize him as the party’s standard bearer.
While the lines of communication remain open with presidential aspirants, he noted that the party “committed to prioritize Domagoso,” assured Ramel.
But he stressed the Manila mayor has not categorically said anything about running for President or Vice President in 2022.
Domagoso has also remained mum about plans to seek a higher post in next year’s elections.
The party meeting was attended by its incumbent officers, including Aksyon Demokratiko co-founder Sonia Roco and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, who retained his post as the party’s executive vice president.
The other elected officers are:
Vice Chairperson: Concepcion, Tarlac Mayor Andres Lacson, Secretary-General: former National Youth Commission Chairperson Leon Flores III, Vice-President for Internal Affairs: Manila City Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, Vice-President for External Affairs: lawyer Bobbit Roco, Vice-President for Women: May Lim, Vice-President for Youth: Councilor Kaye Ann Legaspi, Deputy Secretary-General: Jayson San Juan, Treasurer: Michael Roy Cuerpo, General Counsel: lawyer Normandy Baldovino Jr., Executive Director: John Erdie delos Santos
Ramel said Aksyon Demokratiko will announce their official candidates in next year’s elections by late September.
Meanwhile, the faction of Senator Manny Pacquiao in PDP-Laban claimed that the ruling party’s resolution endorsing the Go-Duterte tandem is “unauthorized” and a “smokescreen” for the presidential bid of presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte.
The national executive council of the PDP-Laban has nominated the tandem of Go and Duterte as the ruling party’s standard-bearers for the 2022 elections.
However, PDP-Laban Executive Director Ron Munsayac, who is a Pacquiao ally, said: “This is merely a smokescreen. Then at the last minute, they will back out and give way to their real candidate, which is Sara Duterte.”