Isko Moreno thanks endorsement by two members of Partido Federal wing

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso thanked a faction of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.'s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) for endorsing his candidacy for president.

“Hindi naman ako nag endorse sa sarili ko," said Moreno in Von Aquino’s Friday 24 Oras report. "Ini-endorse ako ng dalawang botante na nagkataon lamang ay binubuo ng malaking grupo na nagkataon din lamang na kasama nila (PFP). Kasama nila, ini-endorse ako. Salamat plus two.”

(I did not endorse myself. I was endorsed by two voters who, by chance, are part of a bigger group. They endorsed me so thank you plus two.)

The Abubakar Mangelen wing of the PFP had earlier endorsed Moreno's candidacy during the latter’s grand rally at the Iligan City Public Plaza.

“Well, it is a party endorsement so I did not do that.. they (the PFP Mangelen wing) did it,” Moreno meanwhile added.

To recall, Mangelen had filed a disqualification case against Marcos claiming the ex-senator’s use of the party’s certificate of nomination and acceptance was “unauthorized, unilateral and illegal” because he was not a member of PFP. The poll body, however, dismissed the case.

Meanwhile, PFP national secretary-general Tom Lantion denounced the Mangelen faction's endorsement of Moreno.

In Sandra Aguinaldo’s report in 24 Oras, Lantion said that the party rejected the endorsement, calling it a “fake announcement.”

Lantion added that the party had long parted ways with Mangelen, whom he described as an “impostor,” and the PFP was now contemplating filing complaints against him.

Mangelen, in response, warned Marcos Jr.'s camp that his candidacy was in trouble as more original party members were now jumping ship to his faction. He also suggested they ask the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to intervene in their case.

GMA News sought Lantion's reaction but he has yet to reply as of this posting. — Sundy Locus/DVM, GMA News