Moreno admits going to casinos when he was a councilor

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso on Wednesday admitted that he went to casinos when he was a councilor representing Tondo, Manila.

“Nung konsehal ako, nagpupunta ako ng casino lalo na nung napa-oposisyon ako. Nung naging opposition ako, syempre wala na akong halos resources. Meron akong nabarkadang Hapon na aking sinasamahan gabi gabi sa iba’t ibang lugar sa Maynila,” Moreno said during Super Radyo dzBB's "Ikaw Na Ba? The Presidential Interviews.”

(When I was a councilor, I went to the casinos especially when I was in the opposition. Back then, I had almost no resources. I had a Japanese acquaintance whom I accompanied every night to various places in Manila.)

He, however, said that this relationship he had with the foreigners paved the way for him to seek help for those residing in Tondo, such as establishing a daycare center for the children.

“Do I go to casinos? Yes. Saan ‘yan? ‘Yung mga hotel. Ang mga hotel po may casino but it doesn’t mean you’re playing in the casino. Pero ngayon, para lang mapapanatag ang ating kababayan, hangga’t maaari, ‘ni silip, ‘ni dungaw, hindi natin ginagawa,” he stressed.

(Do I go to casinos? Yes, in hotels. Hotels have casinos but it doesn’t mean that I’m playing. Right now, just to assure everyone, I don’t peek or look at casinos as much as possible.)

Moreno, who is running for president in the May 9 polls, was elected in the Manila City Council in 1998 and was reelected in 2001 and 2004.

On January 25, President Rodrigo Duterte said he would spill the beans on the presidential aspirants in the 2022 elections "in due time,” including one who is the "most corrupt" and who he thinks lacks the know-how to become president.

Duterte also referenced somebody who he claims is a drunkard, says insulting things, and throws a fit when inebriated.

Asked if he has any vices, Moreno admitted that he used to smoke cigarettes since he was 18 years old but when he got infected with COVID-19, he shifted to using an electronic device that heats tobacco instead of burning it.

“Nung nagka-COVID ako, natakot ako. Medyo nag ano ‘ko, nag-side step. Nag-ano na lang ako ‘yung IQOS. ‘Yun lang, awa naman ng Diyos. Kung ako naman ay umiinom, madalang pa sa pagbilog ng buwan,” he said.

(When I had COVID-19, I got afraid. I had to take a side step and use IQOS instead. If I drink, it's rarer than the full moon.)

Moreno tested positive for COVID-19 in August 2021 and was confined at the Sta. Ana Hospital in Manila after exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms such as cough and body pain.

He also stressed that he is not a drunkard and did not use drugs.

“Lahat ng uri ng droga, ni hindi ko natikman whether it is curiosity, inggit sa katawan, barkadahan. Awa naman ng Diyos. Hindi po ako anghel pero hindi rin naman ako masamang tao,” he said.

(I did not use any kinds of drugs whether it was out of curiosity, to boost physical confidence, or peer influence. I am not an angel, but I am also not a bad person.)

Duterte also earlier insisted a presidential aspirant in Eleksyon 2022 was using cocaine but has slipped past authorities because he does the illegal act in exclusive places such as yacht or private plane.

Moreno and his running mate, Dr. Willie Ong, took their drug tests and yielded negative results for cocaine, methamphetamine, and other illegal substances.

Plans for the underprivileged

Further, Moreno vowed to pursue a “Life and Livelihood” economic policy which aims to address poverty, hunger, unemployment, inequality, and social injustice through an infrastructure development program.

If elected president, he said that within two years, he will focus on building facilities that will provide the minimum basic needs of the people such as housing, education, and health care.

“Siguro hindi na ako magkakamali na tugunan ‘yung pangunahing pangangailangan ng taumbayan. More than highfalutin words and highfalutin ideas, o mga magagandang idea na sinasabi ng ilan, I’ll go and focus on minimum basic needs,” Moreno said.

(Maybe I will not make the mistake of addressing the basic needs of the people. More than highfalutin words and ideas, I’ll go and focus on providing their minimum basic needs.)

Moreno earlier said that he eyes on continuing the "Build, Build, Build" infrastructure program of the current administration but will make it faster, cover more areas, and create more jobs and opportunities for growth.—AOL,GMA News