Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso appealed to national leaders amid the ongoing political crisis to set aside their differences and find common ground.
In his speech during the flag-raising ceremony of the Manila City Hall, Domagoso said the Filipino people, and not political parties, must be the basis of any resolution of the country’s leaders.
“Itong nangyayari sa ating bansa, yung ating mga lider sa national government, sana minsan isang umaga mag-almusal sila pare-pareho at humupa sa isang hapag-kainan na nag-uusap kung saan sila pwedeng magkitang intersection,” the mayor said before fellow city officials, police officers, and city government employees.
“Hindi pwedeng dalawang kalye magkatapat at parehong umaandar, walang patutunguhan ang ating bansa,” he added.
Domagoso delivered his remarks in the context of the upcoming celebration of Independence Day, saying the freedom won by Filipino heroes like Andres Bonifacio came with an accompanying responsibility—one that he said national leaders appear to have forgotten in the midst of their political battles.
“The common ground is the Filipino people.”
“The common ground is the Filipino people,” he said. “I hope and we pray, help me pray to give them wisdom to set aside, sana makita nila na mas mahalaga ang obligasyon nila sa taong-bayan kaysa sa obligasyon nila sa partido nila.”
Domagoso said the political dysfunction at the national level has real consequences for ordinary Filipinos, and that Manila, as one of the country’s most densely populated cities, stands to suffer directly if national institutions fail to deliver on their obligations.
“I hope, because we Manileños will suffer if institutions fail to deliver their obligations and responsibility to do their job na magbe-benepisyo ang mamamayan,” he said, expressing hope that clarity would eventually prevail among those in national government.
Domagoso drew on the analogy of a relationship—saying even married couples disagree and fall short of each other, but always find a commonality that holds them together—applying the same principle to political leaders who must ultimately serve the same people.
“May pagtatalo at pagkukulang sa isa’t isa, ngunit at the end of the day, may commonality,” he stressed.
Turning to city employees assembled before him, Domagoso said the celebration of Independence Day this year carries a specific obligation for those in government service—to serve well, carefully, and effectively as their own way of honoring the sacrifice of those who died for Philippine freedom.
“Maglingkod tayo ng mainam, masinop, at epektibo.”
“Maglingkod tayo ng mainam, masinop, at epektibo. ‘Pag ito’y ginawa natin, para nating tinugon yung panawagan ng ating mga dakilang bayani na mahalin ang bayan, mahalin ang mamamayan,” he said.
Domagoso reminded his audience that the freedom Filipinos enjoy today was not free—that it was paid for with the lives of those who came before—and that government workers honor that sacrifice through honest, dedicated public service wherever they are assigned.
“Lahat po ‘yan hindi po ‘yan free, hindi po ‘yan libreng nakamit natin. May nagbayad, at ang ibinayad diyan, buhay ang kapalit,” he said.
For Manila specifically, Domagoso said the city will remain focused on its mandate—delivering services to two million Manileños—and will not be drawn into the political conflicts consuming the national government.
“Chill chill lang tayo, manonood lang tayo ng karera nila, nandun lang tayo. Pero habang ginagawa natin ‘yun, uubusin natin ang lakas ng ating pangangatawan at tutupdin natin ang ating tungkulin, maluwag sa ating puso na paglingkuran ang mamamayang dalawang milyong Manileño,” he concluded.
