Isko Moreno to continue shaking hands despite wounds, Comelec warning

LOS BANOS, Laguna—Though the Commission on Elections (Comelec) prohibits handshakes during in-person campaign, presidential candidate Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno on Wednesday said he will continue reaching out to his supporters.

Moreno issued the remark when sought for comment on the warning of the Department of the Interior and Local Government that violators will be fined.

“They are entitled to do what they have to do. Our lawyers will handle the people, doon na ako sa taumbayan muna, uulitin ko sa taumbayan muna ako,” Moreno said in an ambush interview.

(They are entitled to do what they have to do. Our lawyers will handle the people. I will focus on the public. I repeat I will focus on the public.)

Comelec earlier warned candidates in the 2022 national and local elections of fines and penalties if health protocols are violated during their campaign-related activities.

The poll body prohibits handshakes, hugs, kisses, and other activities that involve physical contact among the candidate, their companions, and the public.

Moreno’s runningmate, Dr. Willie Ong, also said the Manila mayor’s hands and arms have been scratched and wounded.

“Binabantayan ko maigi ‘yung kamay niya kasi palala na nang palala. Kasi nga bawat motorcade natin, marami lumalapit sa kanya, minsan nakakalmot… ngayon halos magang-maga na ‘yung kamay niya,” Ong said.

(I am monitoring him as his hands keep getting worse. Because a lot of people keep approaching him in every motorcade. Sometimes he is scratched... now his hands are almost swollen.)

He said Moreno is applying antibacterial cream to his wounds.

For the mayor, however, reaching out to the people is what the government should do.

“Bakit naman hindi? Eh, naabot ko lahat ng tao. Ganon ang gobyerno, inaabot mo lahat ng tao, hinihila mo sa baba pataas, and I will continue doing that,”  he said.

(Why not? I am reaching out to everyone. That’s what the government should do, you reach out to everyone, you bring them up, and I will continue doing that.)

Meanwhile, Aksyon Demokratiko Senate bet Samira Gutoc reiterated her appeal to her supporters to understand her decision to shift to another party.

Gutoc ran for senator in 206 under the Liberal Party.

“You bashed me na nag shift party ako… it was a decision I had to make. I mean, VP Leni took care of me, but there was no decision. There was no face-to-face with me if she was running,” she said.

“So to my VP Leni supporters, Samar, Visayas, I continue to call on you. ‘Wag kayo magtampo at magalit sa akin. Pandemya ngayon at oras na,” she added.

(So to my VP Leni supporters, Samar, Visayas, I continue to call on you. Don’t be mad at me. We are in a pandemic right now.)—AOL, GMA News