MANILA, Philippines – After an overwhelming victory in the 2019 elections, Manila Mayor-elect Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso paid a “courtesy visit” to outgoing Mayor Joseph Estrada.

Estrada welcomed Domagoso in the mayor’s office which he has held in the last 6 years. After trading pleasantries, Moreno handed a formal request to Estrada asking for transition documents as he prepares to assume office on June 30.

“No matter what color or political affiliation, we have to arrest the city’s free fall. We must humble ourselves not only for us but also for all Manilans,” Domagoso said.

The documents: Domagoso’s request for documents included the latest report from the Commission on Audit, copies of contracts and loan agreements, and the city’s latest budget, investment, and procurement plans.

Domagoso would need these given his grand promises during the campaign. He vowed to clean Manila and implement a “social amelioration program” that aims to give allowances and food to  students and jobs to senior citizens. 

It was a reunion: The meeting is a first for Estrada and Domagoso since 2016, after Domagoso lost in his senatorial bid while Estrada was reelected Manila mayor.

They ran as a tandem in 2013, with Estrada pledging to Domagoso the Manila mayor’s seat in 2016. But Estrada broke that promise and asked that he run again in 2016. In 2019, Domagoso got tired of waiting and ran against his former ally, defeating him by over 140,000 votes.

– Rappler.com