Willie Ong: Eye on the ball, no hurt feelings amid Isko-Sara rumored tandem

Dr. Willie Ong said he remains focused in pursuing the vice presidency and is not hurt by the rumored tandem of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

“Focused lang ako sa kailangan kong gawin.  Salamat kay Mayor Isko na pinili n’ya ako, pero ngayon nasa akin na ang bola, tuloy-tuloy tayo hanggang May 9. Salamat sa aking followers, eye on the ball tayo,” he said in a video message on Facebook.

Ong, Moreno’s running mate, said the statements that came out that he was hurt by the Isko-Sara tandem being pushed by some quarters was an interview a month ago.

“Wala akong galit sa puso ko kasi hindi s’ya makakatulong. Sa politika, away-away. ‘Pag pinasok mo yung galit sa puso mo, dun na masisira yung kamada, maiiba yung focus mo,” he said.

“Kailangan kong manalo kasi kailangan kong mabigay ang tulong sa gamutan, sa pagkain. . . .Sino pa ba ang tunay na nagmamhal sa inyo? Hindi ko naman kailangan magtapang-tapang pa.  O baka gusto nyo matapang, ano pa ba ang mas matapang sa ginagawa ko? Twenty-seven years na tumutulong ng libre, nagsasakripisyo para sa inyo,” he added.

Moreno gets United Bangsamoro Justice Party support

Moreno got the backing of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), the political party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

According to 24 Oras report Monday, BARMM chief minister and UBJP president Murad Ebrahim will be endorsing the Manila mayor.

In his courtesy call, Moreno promised to continue the programs BARMM has started.

"Basta ako ang aasahan nila sa akin, minimum basic needs -- housing, education, hospital, jobs. So sinabi ko 'yon kay chairman and they're very receptive kasi 'yong tingin kong layunin ng mga ninuno natin na talagang tumaas lang 'yong antas ng pamumuhay ng tao sa Muslim Mindanao," Moreno said.

Ong was not present during their first sojourn in Mindanao.

Meanwhile, Lakas-CMD, in a statement, said it does not condone efforts of certain groups to pair vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte with other presidential bets.

"Our candidate for president is Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.," it said.—LDF, GMA News