An Assumption For Isko Moreno Intensifies

Philippines – Surprisingly, Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV accused Manila mayor and presidential aspirant Isko Moreno Domagoso of only pretending to be a moderate candidate when he is actually a supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte.

In view of this, Trillanes was responding to Domago’s attacks against fellow presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo whom he referred to as a “yellowtard,” an insult often used by Duterte supporters in reference to the once-ruling Liberal Party.

Domagoso promised that he can work with anybody at the announcement of his presidential bid last month and positioned himself as someone who is neither from the opposition or the administration.

He attempted to continue this line of messaging by bringing up Filipinos’ hardships instead of addressing his stance on the Marcoses, which Robredo said was one of the reasons why unity talks between her and the Manila mayor broke down. Robredo, however, made it clear that while she is bent on stopping the return of the Marcoses to Malacañang, this was not the tipping point that made her choose to run for president.

Domagoso has said in previous interviews that he admired the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, but abhorred the human rights violations committed during his two-decade tyrannical rule. For Trillanes, this is a red flag.

However, was mistaken as Robredo made it clear earlier Thursday that while she feels strongly about preventing the Marcoses from returning to Malacañang, this was not the tipping point that made her decide to run for president.

Robredo was engaged in negotiations with various political players to forge unity with the goal of building a single ticket that would go head-to-head with and defeat President Rodrigo Duterte’s anointed bets.

Among the politicians Robredo was in touch with was Domagoso. However, Robredo said among the reasons why talks with the Manila mayor broke down was because of his stance on the Marcoses. Along with this, Domagoso has said in previous interviews that he admired the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, but abhorred the human rights violations committed during his regime.

Morever, Robredo announced a change in tack in her unity talks, abandoning her previous strategy of uniting politicians.