MANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso yesterday asked Congress to pass rules on managing campaign funds as he denied the allegation of another presidential candidate that he received $15 million from American business magnate and software developer Bill Gates.
Jose Montemayor, at CNN Philippines’ debate among presidential candidates, said he about the 15% million from a newspaper which he did not identify,
CNN asked the nine presidential contenders whether unused campaign funds should be returned to donors.
All the eight presidential candidates present said yes, except for Moreno, prompting Montemayor to ask him about the alleged donation from Gates.
Moreno, standard bearer of the Aksyon Demokratiko party, said, “Wala po. It’s not true. I don’t know where you got it.”
The Manila mayor previously admitted keeping P50 million in his 2016 campaign contribution when he ran for the Senate, but said he paid taxes for it.
He also explained why he was the only candidate who did not answer yes to the question if unused campaign funds should be returned to their donors.
“I have to be fair to the Filipino people di ako nagsauli ng sobrang campaign funds pero tinupad ko ang tungkulin na magbayad ng buwis so I have no moral ascendancy to answer in favor,” Moreno said.
“But what matters most is you pay your taxes,” he added, showing a copy of a receipt from the Bureau of Internal Revenue on his payment of taxes for the P50 million unused campaign funds that he kept.
“I hope the Senate and Congress pass a law that answer this questions so this can be answered fairly,” he added.
Moreno also discussed during the debate what he has done to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said he immediately implemented in Manila what he learned from British experts in London, including programs to control the deadly infection.
Moreno also said he and running mate, Willie Ong, will create 17 new hospitals as well as an infectious and cancer hospitals to open up job opportunities for them health workers.
He said these hospitals would also enable nurses to remain in their respective regions instead of going abroad to find jobs.
Moreno also said it is important to invest in Filipino scientists in preparation for future pandemics.
As to the question of how they would balance the interest of consumers and protect that of the manufacturing and agriculture sectors, Moreno said the government must invest in Filipino farmers.
He added that smuggling must also be stamped out as it hurts local farmers.
As part of his economic agenda, Moreno said, he would hire individuals adept at handling economic affairs, adding that a Moreno presidency would make sure that the Philippines remains competitive to increase foreign investments.
