Incumbent Manila City Mayor Maria Sheilah 'Honey' Honrado Lacuna-Pangan and her running mate, Vice Mayor John Marvin 'Yul' Servo, formally filed their Certificates of Candidacy for re-election at the Comelec satellite office in SM Manila on October 3, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News  

MANILA — Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna's supporters chanted "walang magbabalik" during a gathering at Kartilya ng Katipunan prior to her official candidacy filing on Thursday.

Facing her supporters, Lacuna said, "Bawal ang taksil." 

When asked who she was referring to as a traitor, Lacuna said she was merely echoing the sentiments of the Manileños.

“Wala naman po. ‘Yan po ay sigaw ng mga sumusuporta sa atin. Ine-echo lang po natin,” Lacuna said.

Former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso — who lost in the 2022 presidential elections — is reportedly seeking to reclaim the capital's highest post, even if this meant he would run against Lacuna.

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Lacuna and Vice Mayor Yul Servo filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) at the Comelec satellite office, both seeking reelection in the upcoming midterm elections.

Lacuna said they would continue the programs and services initiated during their first term as the top political leaders of the City of Manila.

“Marami pa ho kaming ginagawa ni Vice Mayor Yul so dapat naman po talaga ipagpatuloy namin ‘yung aming ginagawa,” Lacuna said.

“Syempre po lahat ng ng mga serbisyo, programa at proyektong diretso talaga. ‘Yung nadarama po ng hindi lang iilan kundi lahat ng mga Manileño,” she added.

She also highlighted the importance of having an ally in service from the same party to ensure alignment in vision and mission.

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'GOOD LUCK SA KANYA'

Lacuna said in her last conversation with Domagoso in August, she was informed of his intention to seek the mayoral position again.

“Wala naman po akong reaction, siyempre po iniisip ko muna, anong mga kadahilanan kung bakit po siya babalik? Dahil bago siya umalis ng Maynila, ay napakaklaro po sa amin na hindi na po siya tatakbo pang muli,” Lacuna said.

“I wish him well. Good luck po sa kanya kung itutuloy niya po ang pagtakbo niya bilang alkalde,” she added.

Despite this, Lacuna said she was confident about winning the elections. She said she would avoid engaging in mudslinging and instead speak only the truth.

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'PEACE BE WITH YOU'

Asked to react to Lacuna's statements, Domagoso said, "Peace be with you."

"Hayaan ko na lang ang taumbayan sa Maynila ang sumagot," he told the media as he accompanied reelectionist Manila First District Rep. Ernix Dionisio in filing his COC at the Office of the Regional Election Director.

Moreno said he was in good terms with Lacuna.

"Ipipresenta lang namin iyong mga nagawa na natin at pwede pang gawin," he said.

The 2022 presidential aspirant said he believed that the public was "tired of fighting", when asked about Aksyon Demokratiko party-mates, vlogger Mocha Uson and former Sen. Sonny Trillanes.

In 2017, Trillanes filed criminal charges against Uson.

"Pagod na ang tao sa mga away-away. Nakita niyo naman, even Sen. Trillanes, pinagsama-sama namin iyong magkakagalit. Ayaw niyo ba iyon? Magkaroon ng kapanatagan ang taumbayan at saka makapamili na lang talaga," Moreno said.

"I'm really happy na kami ang napupuntahan ng mga taong gusto ng kapanatagan," he added.

MAKATI AND MANILA CONGRESSIONAL ASPIRANTS 

Manila and Makati congressional aspirants were among the early filers on day 3 of the COC filing. 

Incumbent Makati Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo is aiming to represent Makati's First District. She was the first to log her COC on Thursday. 

Also from Makati, Councilor Dennis Almario submitted his COC for representative of the city's Second District

Manila Councilor Joel "JTV" Villanueva filed his COC as representative of the capital's Fourth District.

Jovencio Balanquit, assistant regional election director of the Office of the Regional Election Director-National Capital Region, said the second and third days of the filing are usually "strategizing days."

Balanquit said some aspirants have decided on seeking a post but want to gauge the situation, while others are still deciding, completing requirements, or have other motives.

Balanquit added that while aspirants would be accommodated until the deadline, the poll office hoped they would file earlier.