Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso cited the ongoing events in the Senate in his message to young Filipinos, telling them that real public discourse must be built on evidence and ideas, not personal attacks and insults.
Domagoso delivered his remarks before the finalists of the “Youth Peace Summit 2026: Voice of the Youth, 3rd National Oratorical Contest,” held at Bulwagang Balagtas, Polytechnic University of the Philippines Manila Campus.
“We gather at a time of public discourse, history lessons, recent events in our Senate, the new teleserye at 3:00 in the afternoon for Filipino families.”
“We gather at a time of public discourse, history lessons, recent events in our Senate, the new teleserye at 3:00 in the afternoon for Filipino families,” the mayor said.
“In many discussions today, arguments are sometimes judged not by the strength of evidence or the merit of ideas, but by who delivers them,” he added.
Domagoso told the young finalists that oratorical competitions like the one they were participating in are more important than ever, precisely because they teach young people to defend positions through ideas, facts, and reason—not through insults or noise.
He pointed to his administration’s city-wide cleanup operations as proof that words backed by action can move people, noting that what many considered impossible was accomplished under his administration.
“When I assumed as Mayor in 2019, anong sabi ko? ‘Yang trentang taon na problema ng Recto-Divisoria, lilinisin ko ‘yan’,” Domagoso said. “Come July 3, 48 hours thereafter, na-shock ang mundo na ‘yung imposible ay naging posible.”
With Independence Day approaching, he reminded the youth that freedom is not free, cautioning them—particularly those going into communications—to choose their words carefully, stressing that firm disagreement need not come at the cost of another person’s dignity.
“Habang nagagawa natin ang kalayaang makapagsalita nang hindi naman dapat nakapananakit ng kapwa.”
“Gusto kong maalala na ang kalayaan ay hindi libre. Ang kalayaan ay may responsibilidad. Ang kalayaan ay may obligasyon. Maingat, maingat tayo sa pagpili ng salita. Habang nagagawa natin ang kalayaang makapagsalita nang hindi naman dapat nakapananakit ng kapwa,” Domagoso said.
“We can be firm with our beliefs. That’s the key: consistency and persistence,” he stressed. “Anim kayo sa isang daang milyon to showcase your skills and talents. Mabuhay ang Pilipino! Mabuhay ang kabataan!”
