Isko Moreno

Francisco Moreno Domagoso (born October 24, 1974), popularly known by his stage name Isko Moreno or Isko Moreno Domagoso (), is a Filipino politician and actor who previously served as the 27th mayor of Manila from 2019 to 2022. Before heading the capital city of the Philippines, he first gained notability as an actor and television personality.

Born and raised in the slums of Tondo, Manila, Moreno spent his childhood in poverty and is widely known for his rags-to-riches story. After average success in show business, he entered politics in 1998, and ran for city councilor of Manila and was elected for three consecutive terms in topnotch victories. He then pursued higher education including some non-degree postgraduate education at Harvard Kennedy School and Oxford Saïd Business School. In 2007, he ran as vice mayor of Manila and was elected for three consecutive terms. In 2016, he was term-limited as vice mayor and unsuccessfully ran for senator in the 2016 senatorial elections. He placed 16th out of 50 candidates. He then served in the Duterte cabinet as social welfare undersecretary for a few months in 2018 before running and being elected mayor of Manila in a landslide victory against his former allies and known bigwigs Joseph Estrada and Alfredo Lim in the 2019 local elections becoming the youngest elected mayor in the history of Manila.

Widely regarded as one of the top performing local chief executives in the country, Moreno has described his leadership style as akin to that of his predecessor Alfredo Lim, citing their shared commitment in reducing crime and maintaining cleanliness of the capital. Moreno is also noted for his streetwise public image due to his use of colorful language coupled with Manila street slang. As a result, he was catapulted into prominence and is colloquially referred to as Yorme. His political career has been met with positive to mixed critical reception, with praise for his political will, efficiency, hands-on leadership, people skills, nonpartisanism on designations, and results-oriented performance, but criticism for his sporadic spontaneous outspoken remarks, over-the-top populist tendencies, and lack of permanence to a national political party, although he remained a constant member since the inception of Asenso Manileño, a local party he co-founded.

In September 2021, Moreno announced his bid for the Philippine presidency in the 2022 presidential election. He was unsuccessful in his bid and placed 4th out of 10 candidates in the presidential race count.

Having served in the government for 24 years, Moreno has received several awards and accolades for his works in public service. He is also widely credited for "restoring Manila to its former glory within a short period of time", despite disinformation against him by political rivals. He is generally known for his firm implementation of city-wide public services and programs, beautification of derelict historical sites, and spearheading the establishment of various city infrastructures. He announced retirement from politics after his one and only term as mayor ended on June 30, 2022.

Early life

Moreno is the only child of Visayan parents Joaquin Copias Domagoso (1930–1995), a stevedore at Manila's North Harbor, from San Jose, Antique, and Rosario Moreno (1946–2020) from Allen, Northern Samar, a housewife who sidelined as a laundrywoman and garlic peeler. Moreno's parents were not married when he was born and he has older half-siblings from his father's first family. Born and raised in the slums of Tondo, Manila where he was once nicknamed as "Scott", Moreno spent his childhood in poverty. At age 10, he found alternative sources of income including pushing a cart, garbage collecting, and going house-to-house to gather old newspapers and used bottles, then reselling them to a local junk dealer. He also drove a passenger pedicab and rummaged through restaurant garbage bins for leftover food, which his mother would recook for dinner. Moreno finished elementary at Rosauro Almario Elementary School while he finished high school at Tondo High School, both public schools in Tondo, Manila. From his savings, Moreno briefly enrolled in maritime engineering at the Philippine Maritime Institute in 1992, managing only to enroll for one semester every year, but dropped out when he entered the entertainment business after he was discovered by a talent scout in 1993 who encouraged him to audition for '' That's Entertainment'', a popular defunct teen variety show that was hosted by German Moreno (no relation), as a way for him to help his family alleviate poverty. Moreno subsequently got the part. He adopted the screen name "Isko Moreno" using his mother's surname who coincidentally happens to share the same surname of the late television presenter and talent manager who catapulted him to fame.

Acting career

Then 18-year-old Moreno caught the attention of talent scout Wowie Roxas in 1993 while attending a funeral in Tondo and was then persuaded to join show business due to his matinee idol image rooted in his boyish features. His first exposure was when he had an extra role as a doorbell guy in an episode for the RPN 9 teen drama anthology, '' Young Love, Sweet Love'' previously hosted by German Moreno. He then auditioned for the seventh batch and subsequently became a part of the Monday group of '' That's Entertainment'', a daily variety show featuring German Moreno's stable of aspiring teenage actors, under the screen name Isko Moreno where he was once paired up with former child star Bamba whom eventually became his girlfriend briefly in real life. His big break came in when he was cast in a minor role in the 1993 romantic movie '' May Minamahal'' and became a leading man to Claudine Barretto in ''Muntik na Kitang Minahal'' a year later. He then starred in a variety of films and TV shows ranging from drama, romance, action, and comedy.

He later became known for his mature roles and modeling during his short stint in the "ST/titillating films" (erotic films) genre that was prevalent in the country during the 1990s and appeared in movies such as ''Siya'y Nagdadalaga'', ''Exploitation'', ''Mga Babae sa Isla Azul'' and ''Misteryosa''.

In 2004, he made a cameo appearance on his life story featured by ''Maalaala Mo Kaya'', the episode title called " Aklat", where Danilo Barrios portrayed him. In 2005, during his third term as a councilor of Manila, he returned to acting wherein he portrayed as a kind-hearted priest in the television drama series ''Mga Anghel na Walang Langit''. He also had a brief appearance in 2007 in the television drama series ''Bakekang''. The following year during his first term as vice mayor, Moreno had a supporting role in the afternoon soap opera '' Ligaw na Bulaklak''.

In 2014, he appeared in Japanese lifestyle variety show ''Homecoming'', where it was revealed that he is a godfather of then-AKB48 member, Sayaka Akimoto, according to photo documentations by Akimoto's Filipina mother, as the episode showed Akimoto traveling to the Philippines to explore her Filipino roots. He was visited and interviewed on the show by Akimoto, her mother, Akimoto's fellow AKB48 co-member Mariko Shinoda, and comedian Hiroshi.

In 2019, Moreno appeared in the film '' 3pol Trobol: Huli Ka Balbon!'' as Yorme, a former mayor of Balete, Batangas, and leader of a horse ranch as well as an old friend of the Philippine president. He also made a cameo appearance in the 24th anniversary special of ''Bubble Gang''.

A musical biographical film based on Moreno's life, '' Yorme: The Isko Domagoso Story'', was released on January 21, 2022, and was distributed by Viva Films. Raikko Mateo, McCoy de Leon, and Xian Lim portrayed Moreno in different times of his life, with Moreno also appearing as himself.

In November 2022, it was announced that Moreno will play the role of Ninoy Aquino in the Darryl Yap film ''Martyr or Murderer'', to be released in February 2023.

Political career

Councilor of Manila

Moreno started his political career when he was elected and sworn in as councilor under the slate of then-Mayor Lito Atienza for Manila's first legislative district in 1998 at age 23, the youngest elected councilor in Manila's history at the time. Initially a decision done on a whim, he was re-elected in 2001 and 2004, topping the vote count of the former. His programs include the "''ISKOlar ng Bayan''" college scholarship program, the Isko Moreno Computer Learning Center (ISCOM), the "Botika ni Isko" which was the only pharmacy in the country installed within a public office, and the establishment of daycare centers in the first district. After receiving criticism from other members of the city council, his mentor, then-Vice Mayor Danilo "Danny" Lacuna, encouraged him to study while fulfilling his duties. In 2003, Moreno obtained his business administration degree from the International Academy of Management and Economics in Makati. He also took a crash course in Local Legislation and Local Finance at the National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines Diliman. He then completed bachelor in public administration at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of Manila). He also attended non-degree programs, fellowships, and short courses in leadership and governance at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (Executive Education Program), and at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford (Strategic Leadership Programme).

Vice mayor of Manila

After his third and final term as city councilor, Moreno ran for vice mayor in 2007 under Asenso Manileño, a local party he co-founded with Danilo Lacuna, as the running mate of then outgoing vice mayor Lacuna. During his election campaign, he criticized what he called "black propaganda" by opponents who used photos of his past "sexy" acting career, but did not pursue any charges. Moreno eventually won the elections, beating his closest rival by about 80,000 votes; however, Lacuna lost to Senator Alfredo Lim, a former mayor himself. Moreno became the youngest elected vice mayor in the history of Manila at age 32. He studied law at Arellano University School of Law, but dropped in his second year when he was elected as vice mayor of Manila for the first time. He was re-elected in 2010, this time under Nacionalista Party and as the running mate of then-incumbent Mayor Alfredo Lim of the Liberal Party. Both Lim and Moreno took part in the negotiation of the Manila hostage crisis until it was taken over by the police. Moreno had criticized the national government's urgency on the matter saying that the national government should have intervened early as it was already a national crisis level since foreign nationals were involved.

Moreno also served as vice chairman of the Manila Historical and Heritage Commission.

In 2011, Moreno was chosen to attend and sent to Washington D.C. under the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) sponsored by the US State Department, being the only Filipino participant on their batch.

Between 2012 and 2013, the Commission on Audit (COA) found that Moreno's office had 623 ghost employees. Cases filed against him were already dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman. Moreno believed that the allegations were headed and politically motivated by then-Mayor Lim which resulted in their falling-out. Moreno said that he was only the signatory to the disbursement of the city council's employees and that the Office of the City Treasurer was the one who disburses employee salaries. The Manila Regional Trial Court also ordered the reinstatement of Moreno's employees whom the court declared as unlawfully terminated by then-Mayor Lim. Judge Daniel Villanueva dismissed the then-mayor's allegations that some of the terminated workers could be ghost employees.

In May 2012, Joseph Estrada, the former president of the Philippines, announced his intention to run for mayor of Manila in the 2013 local election against then-incumbent Mayor Lim, but only for one term to give way for Moreno afterwards. Moreno, who was running for re-election as vice mayor in his third and last consecutive term, was chosen as Estrada's running mate. Estrada drove his famous "Jeep ni Erap" from San Juan to his new house at Altura, Santa Mesa, Manila to ceremonially launch his candidacy. He was joined by his wife, former senator Loi Ejercito and Moreno. Moreno then joined Estrada's party Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) and United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), which was then in coalition with PDP-Laban.

On February 16, 2013, months before election, Moreno and other five councilors were arrested and detained by the police due to alleged bingo operations held in a public place and lack of permit. Moreno denied that the bingo game was in a public place in Santa Cruz, Manila as they were in a private property and did not cause obstruction. Moreno believed that then-Mayor Lim was involved in his arrest which the latter denied. Moreno claimed that the bingo game was not illegal as there was no wager involved and that the cards were given for free. Moreno further explained that the bingo session was initiated for entertainment purposes in order to attract people to attend their consultation program. In his defense, Moreno said that there is no law that requires anyone to obtain a permit from the local government unit if the bingo games were intended purely for entertainment purposes especially when being done in a private and gated compound. The day before, Lim and Estrada signed a "Peace Covenant" to prevent any election-related violence in the city of Manila. Moreno and the other councilors were released a day later and the gambling charges were eventually dismissed by the Department of Justice due to lack of evidence and vague allegations on how the acts were committed. The police complainants also failed to cite a particular provision of the law that was violated. Moreno was successfully re-elected in May 2013, with Estrada beating Lim as the new mayor of Manila.

The Campaign Finance Office of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) later filed a complaint against Moreno in May 2017 for overspending in the 2013 elections claiming that Moreno exceeded expenditure limits by over P100,000 in his final vice mayoral bid. In his counter-affidavit which was received by COMELEC in October 2020, Moreno said his declared spending was a "simple and honest oversight" due to variances and unreconciled accounts and the sincere mistake was done in good faith. He later adjusted his expense report where the amended sum falls within campaign spending limits. Under Republic Act 7166, a candidate with political party support who is vying for neither the position of president or vice president, may spend only up to ₱3.00 per registered voter in his or her constituency. Several poll watchdogs have echoed support for Moreno and have long pushed for the revision of an outdated spending cap as they said that such law enacted in 1991 no longer reflected actual spending and that such action would make the disclosure of candidates and political parties more truthful. Under the poll body’s Rules of Procedure, preliminary investigations on election offenses must be terminated within 20 days after the receipt of counter-affidavits, after which a resolution should be made within five days. However, there has been no resolution on the case since then and it is highly unlikely to bring the case to court anymore as the COMELEC may be found guilty of "inordinate and oppressive delay." On their defense, the COMELEC said that the slow pace in the procedures is "usual" due to unclear delegation and delineation of functions.

In September 2014, five barangay chairpersons from Tondo filed a plunder complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against Moreno and several other city officials in Manila for allegedly diverting real property tax shares amounting to ₱77 million to a "dummy" barangay in late 2013. Moreno responded that the accusations against him and the other officials were politically motivated. According to him, the so-called dummy barangay the complainants were referring to was Barangay 128 in Smokey Mountain. Moreno further explained that the funds they gave to Smokey Mountain, as well as the poor barangays in Parola and Baseco, were "floating funds" from uninhabited barangays in the city's piers and that such action was a "normal proceeding" since the time of former mayors Lito Atienza and Alfredo Lim. Moreno alleged that the complainants wanted to take a share from the funds but failed to properly request such. Moreno said that he and his co-defendants are willing to face the allegations but there has been no official report or publicly available update from the Office of the Ombudsman regarding the complaint.

Also during his tenure as vice mayor, Moreno was elected as the National President of the Vice Mayors' League of the Philippines (VMLP) from 2008 to 2016, and the 1st Vice President of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) from 2014 to 2016. He was also the Chairman Emeritus of the Kaagapay ng Manileño Foundation from 2007 to 2010.

2016 Senate bid

In 2015, a term-limited Vice Mayor Moreno announced that he would run for senator of the Philippines in 2016 after then-incumbent Mayor Joseph Estrada decided to run for another term. He was named as part of the senatorial slate of presidential candidate and Senator Grace Poe's Partido Galing at Puso coalition and as an adopted senatorial candidate of Senator Bongbong Marcos, who was then running for vice president. He lost in his bid, placing 16th overall. He also received the biggest campaign contributions and donations by any senatorial candidate that year through pooled funds from different donors. Moreno declared and paid fully the obligated taxes out from his ₱50 million unused excess campaign donations as stated in his mandatory income tax return, which is not a violation in Philippine law, in compliance with the Commission on Elections Resolution No. 9991, Bureau of Internal Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 31-2019 and Revenue Regulation No. 7-2011. Apart from Moreno, other candidates who also declared excess campaign donations during that year were Grace Poe, Jejomar Binay, Rodrigo Duterte, Leni Robredo and Francis Escudero. Moreno is among the first few candidates who settled their obligations on excess campaign donations early. Among the candidates who had also declared excess campaign donations, Moreno's declaration was sensationalized six years later in 2022 by political rivals even though the Commission on Elections affirmed Moreno's response stating that "there are no rules requiring its disposition in any specific way", confirming Moreno did not violate any law and fully complied with its required taxation, as opposed to other candidates who still have unsettled obligations as per the publicly available report from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Moreno later stated that he believes the legislature should pass a corresponding law or new set of rules in the future that governs excess campaign donations for concrete clarifications and to achieve fair resolutions. His term as vice mayor of Manila ended on June 30, 2016, and was succeeded by Honey Lacuna, daughter of his mentor Danny Lacuna.

Member of Duterte's cabinet

Moreno was appointed by then-President Rodrigo Duterte and served as an external peace consultant for the urban poor of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), the Communist Party of the Philippines' (CPP) popular front, in its peace negotiations with the Duterte administration in 2016 and 2017. He attended the peace talks held in the Netherlands, Oslo, and Rome as an independent observer, along with members of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP), before then-President Duterte formally terminated the peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDFP in late 2017. Aside from being external consultant and independent observer during the peace talks, Moreno denies further alleged communist ties which was also denied by CPP founder Jose Maria Sison.

In July 2017, then-President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Moreno as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the North Luzon Railways Corporation (NorthRail), a government-owned and controlled corporation. Moreno resigned from the post in October 2017, citing personal reasons.

In May 2018, Moreno was appointed by Duterte as undersecretary for Luzon affairs and special concerns at the Department of Social Welfare and Development. On October 11, 2018, he officially resigned from this post to run for mayor of Manila in the 2019 elections and challenge his former ally then-incumbent Mayor Joseph Estrada, with then-incumbent Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna as his running mate. Moreno and Estrada had not been on speaking terms following Moreno's failed senatorial bid in 2016.

Mayor of Manila

Moreno served as the 27th mayor of Manila (22nd person to hold the position), beginning his tenure in 2019. In the local elections, he garnered a historic win by defeating both his predecessors Alfredo Lim and then-incumbent mayor Joseph Estrada becoming the youngest mayor to be elected in the history of Manila at age 44. Moreno and Lim reconciled after the elections and remained in good terms until the latter's death in 2020. Moreno's first 100 days in office was met with positive response. Then-President Rodrigo Duterte also praised Moreno at one point saying "Moreno is better than him".

The local government of the City of Manila, under Moreno's administration, bagged its first-ever Good Financial Housekeeping recognition from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the year 2019.

In a December 2020 year-end face-to-face survey conducted by research group RP-Mission and Development (RPMD) Foundation Inc., Moreno earned a 77% approval rating from the city's constituents, becoming the third top-performing mayor in the National Capital Region after Joy Belmonte (Quezon City) with 85%, and Vico Sotto (Pasig) with 82%. In another survey conducted by RPMD in September 2021, Moreno was ranked first as the top-performing mayor in the National Capital Region with an 88-percent approval rating. He was followed by Belmonte with 82% and Sotto with 81%.

The City of Manila was included in the top 50 finalists of the Bloomberg Philanthropies 2021 Global Mayors Challenge, a competition that aims to identify and implement the most innovative ideas developed by cities to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Manila and the city of Butuan in Mindanao were the only Southeast Asian cities to make it to the list, selected from a pool of 631 cities that also submitted their applications earlier that year.

On October 29, 2021, the local government unit (LGU) of Manila, under the administration of Moreno, won three awards during the Digital Governance Awards 2021 (LGUs Best Practices in Information and Communication Technology) by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). The awards include the COVID-19 Testing Center "Web-Lab-IS" – Best in LGU Empowerment Award (city level) at 1st Place, the City of Manila "Connection for Inclusion" Award – Best in Customer Empowerment Award (city level) at 1st Place, and the Business Permit Licensing Service (BPLS) – Best in Business Empowerment Award for its GO Manila App end-to-end solution (city level) at 2nd Place. The GO Manila App, originally launched in 2014, was revamped to provide residents access to an online one-stop-shop giving a variety of LGU system automation and e-Services. The app was envisioned by Moreno to "help make transactions more convenient, transparent, and limit human discretion".

As part of his advocacy in meritocracy, Moreno promoted several long-time well-performing employees of the City Hall and hired new employees based on qualifications regardless of political affiliation.

Moreno has donated about a total of of his personal talent fees from various product endorsements to charities since 2019 which includes the Philippine General Hospital, cancer-stricken children, liver transplant children patients, and to provinces hit by natural calamities like Batangas, North Cotabato, and Cebu City.

In June 2022, the City of Manila was awarded with the "Gawad Edukampyon for Learning Continuity Innovation Award" for the Highly Urbanized City category by the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Center for Local Governance and Professional Development Inc., the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council, and REX Publication during the first-ever Gawad Edukampyon for Local Governance Awarding Ceremony in recognition of Manila's educational programs amid the COVID-19 pandemic under the administration of Moreno. The award highlighted Manila's Continuity Education Plan, the "Connection for Inclusion 2.0", which focused on integrating information and communications technology (ICT) in schools.

His one and only term as mayor of Manila ended on June 30, 2022, and was succeeded by his vice mayor and partymate Honey Lacuna. Moreno then officially entered retirement from politics amiably afterwards, having served in the government for 24 years.

City services and infrastructure

Moreno signed an ordinance that gives a monthly allowance of to each student of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and Universidad de Manila, the first in the country. Likewise, all Grade 12 students in all public schools in Manila will get a monthly allowance to be received via "cash cards". To qualify, the student must be a resident and registered voter of the city, and that they do not incur a failing mark or commit misconduct in school. If the student is not yet of legal age to vote, his or her parent or guardian must be a registered voter to claim the monetary benefit.

Senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and solo parents who reside in the capital are entitled to a monthly allowance by the city government. The elderly also would receive and a cake as a birthday gift from the city government, on top of their monthly allowance.

Moreno's infrastructure projects and beautification programs include the redevelopment of the historic Jones Bridge, the construction of a 10-storey 384-bed fully air-conditioned building for the "Bagong Ospital ng Maynila" (to replace the old Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center which will be later converted into the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences Campus of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila), and the redevelopment of Manila Zoo that reopened on December 30, 2021. Also one of Moreno's projects is the Flora V. Valisno de Siojo Dialysis Center at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center, dubbed as the country’s largest free dialysis facility named after former mayor Alfredo Lim's grandmother.

Moreno also spearheaded the construction and inauguration of the Manila Islamic Cemetery and Cultural Hall gated within the Manila South Cemetery, the first ever cemetery exclusive for Muslims in Manila. The cemetery is free of charge and also welcomes Muslims coming from outside the city of Manila.

Public housing for the homeless and city employees was one of the campaign promises of Moreno, and his administration oversaw the construction of high-rise in-city vertical housing projects such as the Tondominium 1 and 2, and Binondominium. In July 2021, illegal settlers and tenants from Baseco Compound were awarded with horizontal townhouses in Manila's community housing project called "BaseCommunity". A Phase 2 of BaseCommunity is also in the works.

In 2020, as a prerogative to ease the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic after then-President Rodrigo Duterte declared that the national government was running out of funds to provide aid, a small portion of the land (3,701m²) where the Divisoria Public Market is situated, a patrimonial property which is a part of the old Divisoria Mall, was sold by the city government of Manila headed by Moreno to private company Festina Holdings Inc. The decision was made after the recommendation of the city's Assets Management Committee when it was tasked to look for assets in the city that are "white elephants", idle, underutilized, and not beneficial anymore. The Divisoria Public Market has long not been managed by the city government since 1992 after former mayors Mel Lopez, Alfredo Lim, and Joseph Estrada entered into an agreement with private company Linkworld Corporation, handing over to the firm the management of the land along with the Divisoria Public Market at a cost of ₱20 per square meter which was considered a "bad contract". Aside from the low monthly earnings from the lease, the city government also has been earning less for years as the stall owners were also remiss in paying their daily rent. The city government emphasized that the decision was advantageous for the city since it earned more from the sale of the Divisoria market than the rent it has earned for more than 25 years and that the sale price of was higher than the Commission on Audit's valuation of the property at per square meter. Further, the office of the city administrator justified that the city government will take more funds from the real estate taxes that will be generated from land developers, rather than the tenant fees being collected by the vendors. It was also agreed that Festina Holdings will pay all required taxes after sales, including the capital gains tax. Consultation and notices were given to stallholders. Public documentations were also widely circulated, and city council resolutions and public bidding conferences were held from which Festina won out of three bidders. Vendors were told to return back the accomplished form attached to their letters, which would be treated as their application for a new stall, and would be temporarily transferred to Pritil Market with given ample time. As of 2022, no vendors were evacuated from their stalls as Festina has yet to declare if it wishes to redevelop the property into a 50-story commercial building as stated in the agreement made by the company and the city government. Moreover, the city government ensures to impose conditions on how to protect the vendors, including that they should not be removed and that rent should not increase. Payment obtained from the sale of the "underutilized" and "least beneficial" Divisoria market was used for putting up the Manila COVID-19 Field Hospital and 12 quarantine facilities, housing projects, procurement of antiviral medicines, and food packs for the 700,000 households of the city. During the 2022 election, almost two years after the sale was settled, the subject matter resurfaced after Manila mayoral candidate Alex Lopez, son of Mel Lopez, alleged that its sale lacked transparency and threatened to press charges against Moreno and the city council. Moreno shrugged off Lopez's allegations as misleading and politically motivated. Moreno asserted that no violations were made as everything was done in due process and well-documented. Moreno also claimed that some of the vendors and representatives of the Divisoria Public Market Credit Cooperative may have been used and manipulated by Lopez to spread black propaganda and sensationalize the issue for personal interests. Lopez ultimately lost in his mayoral bid to Moreno's ally and then outgoing vice mayor Honey Lacuna in a landslide victory.

On February 3, 2021, the city government of Manila, headed by Moreno, acquired a 6,003m² private lot worth located at Pasig Line in Santa Ana through Ordinance No. 8115, which was enacted in 2006. The purchased land will be used for the "Land for the Landless" program of the Manila Urban Settlements Office. The land acquisition is perceived to provide housing to more than 600 low-income informal settlers and homeless families.

From 2019 to 2020, government-owned banks Development Bank of the Philippines and the Land Bank of the Philippines granted Moreno's request for financial loans for Manila's various infrastructure projects after the assessment and approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). The City of Manila has been denied loans by government-owned banks in the previous city administrations due to a reputation of being "not bankable". Moreno reportedly inherited a zero budget from the past administration when he assumed office in 2019. After presenting his infrastructure plans, the DBM's certification to prove the city's capability to pay, and the Supreme Court's Mandanas ruling which entitles local government units to receive an additional budget allocation from both internal revenue taxes and national taxes starting in 2022, the government-owned banks became interested in the potential revenue of Moreno's infrastructures and the city became "bankable" once again. The loans granted to Manila serve as an advance receipt of Manila's guaranteed Mandanas budget allotment ensuring future full payment to the banks, on top of the revenue that will be generated by the infrastructure assets. Moreno's supposed 10-year infrastructure plan was apparently achieved in three years with the completion of his various housing projects, new school buildings, new hospitals, and Manila's renovation and beautification programs. Contrary to disinformation by online trolls, the city government was able to increase tax revenue collection each year from its infrastructure assets in the years 2019 to 2022 compared to the previous administrations, despite the pandemic, based on the Commission on Audit's annual reports prompting the city government not to impose additional taxes to Manila residents.

In March 2022, Moreno negotiated with Elon Musk's SpaceX into entering a contract for the acquisition of Starlink's low Earth orbit satellite broadband internet system for the City of Manila. Moreno met with Rebecca Hunter, SpaceX senior manager for government affairs, and Raymond Garcia, SpaceX partner-representative for the Philippines and other Asian countries. In May 2022, the National Telecommunications Commission approved Starlink Internet Services Philippines' registration as a value-added service provider making Philippines the first country in the ASEAN region to avail of Starlink's satellite and Manila the first city in Southeast Asia to acquire the service. The system is reportedly designed to bring broadband services to remote areas which will offer low latency internet services and when communications are disrupted during natural disasters. The city government of Manila plans to deploy the satellites to 896 barangays along with several public schools, police stations and hospitals.

COVID-19 pandemic response

On March 10, 2020, Moreno was invited by the United Kingdom government to attend sessions on proper COVID-19 response and met with its coronavirus task force officials in London. Upon coming back to the Philippines, Moreno declared a state of calamity in the city on March 15, 2020, following a directive from the Metro Manila Council, after the second and third COVID-19 cases were confirmed. Moreno also slept in his office for three months starting March 15 to oversee the city government's COVID-19 pandemic response.

On March 16, 2020, the Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) began rescuing street people, pavement dwellers, and other homeless people, as well as people living outside the city who were unable to retreat home following the imposition of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine. They took refuge at the Delpan Sports Complex in Tondo. The city allocated ($4.45  million) from its budget to assist families affected by the quarantine. On March 18, 2020, Moreno ordered all lodging facilities in Manila to provide free accommodations for front line health workers, such as doctors and nurses, throughout the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine. To financially help the city government employees, Moreno drafted a resolution ordering the release of their mid-year bonuses. Another resolution appropriating funds and giving cash assistance for the city's job order and contractualized workers was also enacted.

On March 19, 2020, the city deployed 189 electric tricycles to exclusively transport front line health workers to the city's public hospitals. Drivers of electric tricycles received salaries from the city government. The city also coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development of the national government in sourcing food supplies for the city's families. On April 5, 2020, Moreno signed an ordinance enacting the City Amelioration Crisis Assistance Fund (CACAF), allocating a total budget of ($12 million) for around 568,000 families, and distributing ($19.73) to each household. A second tranche was given from May 20 to 21, 2020 for more than 680,000 families, some of which do not received from the first CACAF distribution.

On March 23, 2020, Moreno launched an online survey via his Facebook page inquiring Manila residents about their health status in relation to COVID-19 and their recent travel history. PLDT, one of the country's major telecommunications providers, assisted the city government in providing enhanced data connectivity for the online survey service. PLDT also assisted in augmenting the hotline facility at the Manila City Hall.

On April 3, 2020, the Manila City Council approved an ordinance penalizing discriminatory acts directed against coronavirus patients and other patients under evaluation, including discrimination of health workers on the basis of their medical condition. The following day on April 4, 2020, Moreno ordered the temporary closure of the Ospital ng Sampaloc after five hospital staff contracted the virus. On April 6, 2020, Moreno announced that he and several other government officials in the city would donate their salaries to the Philippine General Hospital to increase its financial capability amid the pandemic.

The Manila government partnered with the Department of Agriculture to launch the ''Kadiwa Rolling Store'' project, a mobile farmers' market that sells fresh products to residents amid the closure of retail establishments due to the enhanced community quarantine. The first unit was deployed to Santa Ana on April 6, 2020.

On April 13, 2020, the City of Manila announced the conducting of localized mass targeted testing for COVID-19. The six city-owned district hospitals and the Delpan Quarantine Facility were able to produce 1,624 swab tests weekly.

On July 15, 2020, Moreno launched the city's drive-thru testing facility, where passengers in vehicles can undergo free COVID-19 testing near the Bonifacio Shrine in Ermita. The drive-thru facility was open to both residents and non-residents of the city, making it the first testing facility of its kind in the country. Three days later, the city government opened a second drive-thru testing facility at the Quirino Grandstand.

The city government also built in 52 days the Manila COVID-19 Field Hospital in Rizal Park, the first of its kind in the country, which began admitting patients on June 25, 2021 to both residents and non-residents of Manila.

Manila residents were also given cash aid from the national government despite Moreno and then-President Rodrigo Duterte's falling-out and brief verbal sparring, with Moreno even thanking Duterte for pushing through the aid.

Manila is the first local government unit in the country to purchase and procure anti-COVID-19 medicines such as Molnupiravir, Remdesivir, Tocilizumab, Baricitinib, and Bexovid for aged 12 and above, all of which prevents mild to moderate cases from progressing into severe diseases. The medicines are given for free to both residents and non-residents as long as they coordinate with the Manila Health Department and provide prescription.

The city government of Manila has been cited and has received an award and recognition by the Department of Health (DOH) for its COVID-19 response and for achieving a 143% vaccination accomplishment rate of the "''Chikiting Bakunation''" (children vaccination) program, surpassing the 80% target set by the DOH, in 2020 and 2022 respectively.

Manila was the only city in the National Capital Region that is not under COVID-19 Alert Level 4.

Manila was later included in the list of 53 world's best cities of the '' Time Out'' Index 2022 on the 34th spot, praising its "aggressive COVID-19 response which helped the city stay afloat". Manila was also voted the third most resilient city in the same survey.

Cleanup drive

Moreno oversaw the cleaning of congested and besmirched streets of Manila. He ordered the clearing of city streets from ambulant vendors to address the city's congestion problem and waste management, which paved the way for stopping the felonious operations of extortionists from vendors and hawkers and exposed derelict heritage sites within the city, some of which became debauched through human actions.

Illegally built infrastructures, including government edifices which impedes the movement of motorists and pedestrians were ordered to be demolished. His cleanup drive of Manila North Cemetery after All Souls' day garnered attention online and spurred a nationwide implementation of the same approach to city decongestion.

Then-President Rodrigo Duterte also echoed Moreno's initiative, ordering the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to "reclaim all public roads that are being used for private ends". On October 8, 2019, Moreno signed ''Executive Order No. 43'' mandating all 896 barangays and frontline City Hall offices to conduct a weekly clean-up drive, in support of Duterte's directive to clear all public roads and sidewalks of obstructions.

Moreno also spearheaded the cleaning of Manila's sewers and the removal of dilapidated barges off the Pasig River. He also led the cleanup of waters around Baseco Compound, which took 10 days, including weekends, to collect more than of garbage. Under Moreno's "''May Pera Sa Basura''" program, the city government launched the community-based "''Kolek, Kilo, Kita para Walastik na Maynila''" program in partnership with private firms and the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC). The waste collection program was incentivized, further aiming to encourage residents to cooperate with the government to lessen and abate the trash polluting the Pasig River. For every kilo of plastic wastes collected, Unilever Philippines, shall in return, exchange worth of home care products.

2022 presidential campaign

On August 4, 2021, Moreno resigned from the National Unity Party as member and Vice Chairman for Political Affairs of the party to join Aksyon Demokratiko wherein he was subsequently elected as its new party president in August 12. On September 22, 2021, Moreno declared his presidential bid in the 2022 election, with physician and social media personality Willie Ong serving as his vice presidential running mate. Following the announcement, Ong left the Lakas-CMD party to join Moreno's Aksyon Demokratiko.

Identified as a populist, some of Moreno's views on certain issues include fast-tracking the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines nationwide, maintaining the Duterte administration's " Build! Build! Build! Program", allowing the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, lowering of excise tax on fuel and utility costs, reviving of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) badly hit by lockdowns, increasing of labor and employment, additional public housing, boosting of agriculture, tourism and creative industries development, strengthening of policies in healthcare and education, infrastructure development in rural areas, developing of economic hubs outside Metro Manila, digital transformation and industry 4.0, strengthening of national and local peace and order, continuing the Duterte administrations's anti-drug policy in a "more humane approach", good and smart electronic governance, maintaining peaceful relations with other countries and international organizations, and ending divisive politics in favor of an " open governance" rooted in "competence" over " connections".

As early as December 2021, Moreno had expressed intention to retire in politics should he fail to get elected as president and would rather spend quality time with his family.

Moreno lost in his bid to Bongbong Marcos placing fourth out of ten aspirants. He garnered 1,933,909 votes and conceded. External observers attribute the failure of his campaign to his lack of political machinery, alleged infighting within his campaign team, disinformation against him, and minimal media coverage. The April 17 joint press conference, where he criticized presidential candidate Leni Robredo, was also seen to backfire against his campaign. According to his Statement of Contributions and Expenses (SOCE), Moreno had no excess campaign contributions and donations and spent an extra ₱1.1 million from his personal funds for the campaign.

Political positions

Domestic and social policies

Vandalism

Moreno is also known for his consistent and controversial stand against vandalism and unauthorized tarpaulins.

On November 12, 2019, the left-leaning group Panday Sining, the cultural arm of Anakbayan, defaced the newly-painted and cleaned Lagusnilad Underpass located near the Manila City Hall. Moreno slammed the group publicly and rejected their apology. The mayor also proceeded with their arrest after another act of vandalism in Recto LRT Station was attributed to the group. Panday Sining was officially declared as "persona non grata" in the city of Manila on December 6, 2019. Many left-leaning groups condemned the mayor's actions against them.

In October 2020, Moreno ordered the removal of the tarpaulins declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines, as well as the New People's Army and the National Democratic Front, as persona non grata in the National Capital Region. However this event prompted Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., spokesperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict to ask if Mayor Isko is welcoming terrorists into Manila. Moreno responded that they have an ordinance against all forms of vandalism. A few days after, Moreno publicly slammed and ordered the removal of graffiti painted by leftist advocates around Welcome Rotonda. On December 7, 2020, in an interview posted on YouTube, Moreno vehemently denied any support for or affiliation with the terrorist groups. Moreno is also against tarpaulins featuring faces of politicians even if they happen to be his partymates and had ordered the removal of tarpaulins that are political in nature since he assumed office.

LGBT+ rights

In October 2020, Moreno signed Ordinance 8695 protecting members of the LGBT community from any and all forms of discrimination and abuse, including the denial of employment and other opportunities on the basis of the person's sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. As part of its campaign against discrimination, the Manila city government has mandated all establishments to have gender-neutral toilets by year 2023 and would be a requirement for the approval and renewal of business permits.

However, he clarified in an interview that he is not in favor of same-sex marriage. He added that "it is our law and in a civilized world, we are guided by the law". Nonetheless, Moreno supports same-sex civil unions.

Women's rights

In November 2020, Moreno signed into law Ordinance 8681 known as the "Gender and Development Code of the City of Manila" or the "GAD Code" which prohibits and classifies cursing, ridiculing, catcalling, and wolf-whistling on women as forms of sexual harassment, along with acts like repeatedly asking for dates despite verbal rejections, making offensive hand gestures or persistently telling "green jokes" to someone who finds it offensive or humiliating. It also mandates the city government to provide comprehensive support to survivors of violence, which includes immediate conduct of investigations, free counseling and medical services, and creation of community-based psychological programs and support groups. Women Crisis Centers in key districts of Manila shall also be established. Additionally, the ordinance increased maternity leave benefits from 65 days under Republic Act 11210 to 105 days and paternity leave benefits for fathers' participation in the aid of their newborn child for 14 days from the seven days mandated by law under Republic Act 8187. It further provides for a yearly 12-day menstrual/menopausal leave for women employees in private offices and commercial/industrial establishments located in the city, who have rendered at least one year continuous service. The ordinance also mandates the barangay GAD committee to organize elderly women within the barangay to advance their practical and strategic interests and needs. Beauty contests which tend to commodify, abuse, humiliate and treat other persons especially women and homosexual as sex objects shall strictly be prohibited in schools, communities, barangays and the city government in its special celebrations. The city and the barangay council are also mandated to ensure that at least one-third of its members is composed of women.

Moreno has praised the country's female medical and health workers as well as the other women frontliners in various fields, acknowledging their roles as "critical and crucial as much as their male counterparts" in the country's response against COVID-19. He also lauded the mothers who need to leave their families in order to fulfill their duties as frontliners. Moreno also recognized the efforts of his then-vice mayor Honey Lacuna, the first ever elected female vice mayor in the history of Manila, calling her an "effective leader who has taken solid steps in gender equality and women empowerment" and described her as like an older sister to him. He gave Lacuna executive functions on a par with his mayoral duties. During Moreno's term as mayor, almost 50 percent of the City Hall's employees are women.

Foreign policy

Moreno expressed strong opinions on a foreign policy aligned with what he calls a "Filipino-first" policy, envisioning that the Philippines will forge contracts, organizations, and even trade agreements, for that matter, if it is only beneficial to Filipinos.

Moreno agrees that the Philippines is not "militarily prepared" for an encounter with China, and that order must be upheld such as the Law of the Sea. He believes that the country's defense secretary should come from the navy, since the Philippines is an archipelagic country. On the issue of the country's claim to the South China Sea islands, he believes that the Philippines' approach should be "fearless" in asserting the claim and should be responsive to the plight of Filipino fishermen, while at the same time should be "fair" and "sensible" in dealing with other countries also occupying some maritime features in the sea, especially in trade. Moreno has criticized the United Nations (UN), questioning what they are doing in light of China's disregard of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). Moreno asserted that China needs to accept a 2016 arbitration award of the Hague ruling that made clear the Philippines' entitlements, including where it can fish and exploit offshore oil and gas, also citing the Velarde map as reference. However, he also expressed opinion in forming partnerships with other countries as well as to prepare in terms of joint trade with China.

Moreno expressed support of the Philippines returning to the International Criminal Court (ICC) if the move would "give a good impression to the world".

Public image

Moreno has been described as a populist, with his rags to riches story from living as a scavenger in the slums as a child, to rising to stardom as a celebrity and later entering politics. Moreno is also known for his streetwise image through his frequent use of Manila street slang, even in media interviews, to engage the masses especially the younger generation, thus, earning the alias "Yorme" when he assumed office as city mayor in 2019. His use of colorful language is collectively dubbed by his supporters as "''ISKOnaryo''" (portmanteau for dictionary). He is also known for his signature dance steps of the song ''(Dying Inside) To Hold You'' by Timmy Thomas, a dance he frequently performed during his early showbiz career. His popularity in social media has been attributed to his celebrity status, charisma, and commoner humor. Although his social media presence is well-received as evidenced by its massive statistical growth in interactions, a number of critics, however, describe such endeavor as ''pa-epal'' (attention-seeker) and "too showbiz". Moreno nonetheless defended his constant social media updates as part of his "engagement" as mayor. He also believes that "taking selfies" with supporters and granting photo ops are part of public service too. Moreover, Moreno was voted as one of the top performing mayors in the country's National Capital Region in opinion polls during his tenure as Manila city mayor.

His remarks against the country's elite positioned him as a "man of the people". Moreno developed a reputation of being an "underdog" politician who never backs down to political giants, "elitists" and "moralists". Moreno has been often criticized by what his critics describe as his "brash" style of talking, but he dismisses it as rather his "real talk style" of addressing his constituents which the elite could not relate to. Moreno also positioned himself as a "politician of the ordinary people", however, some critics lambast him for overusing his rags-to-riches narrative, to the point that it has become clichéd. He has also been widely compared to former President Rodrigo Duterte with critics labeling him as "Duterte Lite" (lighter version of Duterte) or "Duterte 2.0" and accused him of fence-sitting on certain issues pertaining to Duterte.

Moreno's inner circle has described his work ethic as "proactive" and "workaholic", and his leadership style as "obsessive". On the other hand, his colleagues, supporters, and external observers describe him as a "visionary", "transformative", and "brilliant".

Personal life

Moreno has been married to Diana Lynn "Dynee" Ditan (born 1975), a businesswoman and a former taekwondo athlete of the Philippine national team, since 2000. They have five children, including Vincent Patrick (born 1998), Ditan's son from a previous relationship whom Moreno adopted, and Joaquin Andre ("JD") (born 2001), also an actor himself. Other children include Frances Diane (born 2000), Franco Dylan (born 2006), and Drake Marcus (born 2012). In 2022, Moreno became a grandfather at age 47 when his son Joaquin fathered a son named Scott Angelo with Raffa Castro, daughter of actor-turned-broadcast journalist Diego Castro. The child was named after a combination of Moreno's childhood nickname and Raffa Castro's grandfather Angelo Castro Jr.

During his early days as councilor of Manila, Moreno admitted that he was once a chaperone to Japanese VIPs in casinos for public relations purposes. He added that although he used to play in casinos whenever he accompanies the Japanese, he vehemently denied that he was gambling whenever he is there nor has a gambling problem. Additionally, Moreno said that he no longer went to casinos anymore when Memorandum Circular No. 6, series of 2016 of the Presidential Decree No. 1869 was issued wherein government officials and employees are not allowed to play and gamble in casinos, especially when he started serving as mayor.

On August 15, 2021, Moreno tested positive for COVID-19. On August 25, 2021, he recovered from COVID-19. Moreno rarely drinks and had quit smoking since 2021. Moreno is an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Rho and a member of the Davao Durian Eagles Club of the Fraternal Order of Eagles – Philippine Eagles. Moreno supports legitimate multi-level network marketing. Aside from his native Tagalog, Moreno can speak English in a professional working proficiency level. Moreno is a practicing Catholic.

Moreno cites Lee Kuan Yew, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., and Ferdinand Marcos (approach on infrastructure projects) as his inspirations in the field of governance.

Moreno's life and works were also featured in written literary works. The book entitled ''God First' Why Isko Moreno: I'M Doing It (Isko Moreno)'' written by Rick A. Conchada was published on November 28, 2019 and highlights Moreno's work as Manila mayor. A children's book entitled ''Yorme! The Life Story of Isko Moreno'' written by Yvette Fernandez and illustrated by Ray Sunga in 2021 became one of the top-selling books at National Book Store.

Awards, honors and recognition

Public service

Moreno was listed in the "Top 10 Men Who Matter in 2011" by PeopleAsia Magazine. He also received the "2012 Most Outstanding Filipino in the Field of Public Service Award" by Gawad Amerika Foundation.

Moreno was chosen as "Man of the Year in Public Service" of the Asia Leaders Awards 2019 and 2020. In November 2019, Moreno earned the 2019 Gusi Peace Prize as a recognition for his work in "consistently creating positive changes" from the time he was vice mayor and councilor. Also in November 2019, Moreno was bestowed with the "Breakthrough Award" for his "distinguished track records in public service, leadership, and governance" by Esquire Philippines during their Man At His Best 2019 Honors night given to outstanding men and women in the fields of art, film, fashion, sports, business, and public service. Moreno was also chosen as "The Management Man of the Year" awardee for 2019–2020 by the Philippine Council of Management (Philcoman), one of the country's oldest non-profit, non-political organizations in the country

In November 2019, the Harvard Business School Owner/President Management (HBS OPM) Club of the Philippines, a club composed of Harvard graduates in the Philippines, honored Moreno as its first-ever awardee for being a "Gamechanger in Politics" and recognized his "outstanding leadership" and "dedicated public service". He was also conferred with honorary membership in the said club.

Moreno was once again listed as one of the "Men Who Matter" in 2019 by PeopleAsia Magazine. Additionally, Moreno was awarded as one of PeopleAsia Magazine's "People of the Year" 2020 and 2022.

In March 2021, Moreno was adopted as a member of Sanlingan Class 2005 of the Philippine Military Academy.

Also in 2021, Moreno received a "Hero of the Year" recognition from Gawad Filipino Heroes Award for his efforts during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreno was also awarded by the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) with the "Inspirational and Outstanding Leader Award" as a recognition for his "exceptional city governance and excellent response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic" in the same year.

Moreno received the "Golden Peacock Award of Excellence" in 2021 from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce Inc. (FICCI) Philippines in recognition of the city government's service to its residents and those who do business in the country's capital.

In April 2022, Moreno was awarded as one of the "Philippines' Most Exceptional Men of 2022" by the Mrs. Universe Philippines Foundation.

In October 2022, Moreno received a "Gawad Sulo for Public Service Award" by the Philippine Normal University at their 2022 Gawad Sulo for Public Service and Salute to Excellence.

Two universities have conferred Moreno with honorary doctorates:
*In April 2014, Moreno was conferred with an honorary degree of Doctor of Humanities in Community Development (''Honoris Causa'') by the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.
*On December 12, 2020, Moreno received an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (''Honoris Causa'') from San Beda University.

Acting

*2013 – Darling of the Press (Special Award) Winner at the PMPC Star Awards for Movies
*1998 – Male Star of the Night (Special Award) Winner at the PMPC Star Awards for Movies

Electoral history

Senatorial election, 2016:
*Isko Moreno Domagoso ( PMP) – 11,126,944 (16th, 12 candidates with the highest number of votes win the 12 seats in the Senate)

Philippine presidential election, 2022:

Filmography

Film

Television

Notes

References

External links

*

Personal website
*
*
*
*
*

, -

, -

, -

{{DEFAULTSORT:Moreno, Isko
1974 births
Living people
Aksyon Demokratiko politicians
Arellano University alumni
Candidates in the 2022 Philippine presidential election
Filipino actor-politicians
Filipino people of Spanish descent
Filipino Roman Catholics
Male actors from Manila
Manila City Council members
Mayors of Manila
Nacionalista Party politicians
National Unity Party (Philippines) politicians
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila alumni
People from Tondo, Manila
Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino politicians
Tagalog people
That's Entertainment (Philippine TV series)
That's Entertainment Monday Group Members
GMA Network personalities
ABS-CBN personalities
Duterte administration personnel