MANILA – Malacañang said on Thursday that President Rodrigo Duterte did not initiate tirades against Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso.
This comes after opposition Makabayan lawmakers claimed on Wednesday that Duterte’s verbal attacks on Domagoso are “disgraceful”.
“Wala po akong narinig na pambabatikos laban kay Mayor Isko na nanggaling sa bibig ni Presidente (I did not hear any insult against Mayor Isko that came from the President’s mouth),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual press conference.
In his pre-recorded Talk to the People, which aired Monday night, Duterte slammed an unidentified “mayor” in Metro Manila for having a “disorganized mind”.
Duterte also referred to Metro Manila mayor as a “call boy” for having “bikini” images.
Some thought Duterte was alluding to Moreno, a former actor who played sexy roles.
When asked again regarding the identity of the Metro Manila mayor mentioned by Duterte, Roque replied, “I will leave it at what the President said. As I said, I’m only a spokesperson. I cannot rise above my source. The President is my source.”
Pressed again if the President would name the controversial local official, Roque said: “That’s up to him (Duterte).”
Due to the allegedly chaotic vaccination rollout within the local official’s jurisdiction, Duterte also stripped on Monday the unnamed Metro Manila mayor of the right to give cash assistance to residents affected by the enhanced community quarantine.
He also ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to take over the distribution of financial assistance in one city in Metro Manila to avoid congestion and disorder in the area.
Roque said, “I do not know if this has been rescinded. Please ask DILG and DSWD. But I can confirm that the President gave that order,” when asked about the status of Duterte’s order to DSWD and DILG.
