Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso is not backing out of the presidential race to join the UniTeam, contrary to what a viral TikTok video insinuates.
In an ambush interview with Domagoso on March 25, he said at 7:50 mark:
Kung gusto ninyo na mabalik ang mga Marcos, yung mga Marcos, eh desisyon yan ng taumbayan. Ako ganoon naman: If you feel na bumuti ang buhay natin at walang naapi, walang naapektuhan, walang naagrabyado sa panahon ng mga Marcos, iboto niyo si Marcos. That’s your life, that’s your right. (If you want to bring back the Marcoses, that’s the decision of the public. This is what I think: If you feel that we were better off and no one was oppressed, affected or aggravated under the Marcos regime, vote for Marcos [Jr.]. That’s your life, that’s your right).
But TikTok user itswillclemens posted on April 28 an excerpt of Domagoso’s interview suggesting that he favors Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s administration and was set to withdraw his bid. Its caption reads:
Aatras naba si Yorme at sasanib na sa UNITEAM? Abangannn (Is Yorme [Domagoso] backing down to join UNITEAM? Let’s watch out for it).
In a joint press conference on April 17, Domagoso, along presidentiables Panfilo Lacson and Norberto Gonzales and vice president candidates Vicente Sotto III and Willie Ong, said they will not withdraw their candidacy.
Instead, Domagoso called on Vice President Leni Robredo to pull out of the presidential race.
Domagoso then saw a drop in his numbers in the latest Pulse Asia Survey, to which he responded in an interview on May 3:
For the meantime, life must go on. Ano ‘yung kasabihan sa Ingles? (What’s that English saying?) It’s not over until the fat lady sings.
As of writing, the video has reached 2.9 million views with more than 271,100 likes and 8,607 comments. (PA)