Manila mayor announces bid to run for Philippine president in 2022

MANILA - Philippines' capital Manila City Mayor Francisco Domagoso on Wednesday formally announced his plan to run for president in 2022 elections.

"I now humbly ask you, my countrymen, please accept my application to become the president of the Philippines," Domagoso, 46, said during a political rally in one of the poorest areas in his city.

"I may not give you a perfect government, but together we can make it better," the popular young politician vowed.

Domagoso, better known by his celebrity nickname Isko Moreno, is the third politician to declare the candidacy for the May 2022 presidential election. Boxing icon and senator Manny Pacquiao and incumbent senator Panfilo Lacson also announced their plans to run for the top public position.

Domagoso's camp has announced that the actor-turned mayor would bid with his vice presidential running mate, Willie Ong, a Chinese Filipino doctor who provides online medical advice to the poor people, with more than 16 million followers on Facebook.

Domagoso was elected mayor of Manila City in 2019. His political career began in 1998, when he was elected Manila councilor at age 23. After serving three terms as councilor, he was elected vice mayor in 2007.

After assuming office, Domagoso has reaped praises for his risky efforts to clean up and decongesting city streets.

Candidates for the 2022 elections will officially file their certificate of candidacy in October. The elections will be held on May 9, 2022. The president and vice president are elected separately.