Isko Moreno Domagoso, the standard-bearer of Aksyon Demokratiko, stated on Monday that he understood Maguindanao Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu’s choice to back Vice President Leni Robredo’s presidential run, saying that the Mindanaoan politician informed him of the change of heart.
Mangudadatu planned Domagoso’s campaign in Maguindanao in February. However, he and the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) announced their support for Robredo over the weekend.
“I fully support and understand him,” Domagoso told reporters.
“That’s how you understand your people. People change their mind,” he said.
Domagoso joked when asked how Mangudadatu explained their move to Robredo, ” “Ayoko i-share sa iyo, Marites ka.”
“It’s between us. I fully respect [him],” he said.
Mangudadatu is running for governor of Maguindanao as part of the UBJP, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s political party, which has reached a peace accord with the government. Domagoso’s Aksyon Demokratiko is supporting his wife Sharifa’s Sultan Kudarat governorship run.
In February, Mayor Isko was criticized after campaigning in Mindanao without his vice presidential running mate Willie Ong.
Domagoso was received by the Mangudadatu family when campaigning in Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, and Lanao del Norte, and was even welcomed into the clan’s home in Maguindanao.
Domagoso hailed the Maguindanao Representative, despite the political reversal, as a good man.
Isko Moreno says he understands Mangudadatu’s shift to VP Leni
Domagoso expressed gratitude to those who had remained consistent in their support two weeks before the polls.
“I’m very grateful sa taongbayan na matitigas ang loob na desidido at tahimik lamang,” he said.
“Ang makakapagpanalo, taumbayan. ‘Yun ang paniwala ko. Tao ang boboto.”
Domagoso came in third place in the latest Pulse Asia presidential preference survey, conducted in March, with 8% support from 2,400 respondents, a two percentage point drop from his rating in February.
Robredo came in second with 24 percent, a 9-point increase from her February rating.
Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. maintained his lead with 56%, a 4% fall from his February rating.
Domagoso challenged Robredo to drop out of the presidential election. The Vice President turned down the call.
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