(PNA file photo)
MANILA – Aksyon Demokratiko presidential bet Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso on Monday said he is satisfied with the ongoing peaceful national and local elections so far.
He made this comment during an ambush interview with the media shortly after casting his ballot at the Magat Salamat Elementary School in Manila where he is a registered voter.
"Salamat sa Diyos. So far, generally peaceful ang elections (Thank God. So far, the elections are peaceful)," the presidential aspirant said.
He added that he is praying that it will also end peacefully and without major problems.
Domagoso thanked his supporters and volunteers who stayed with him until the end of his presidential campaign.
"Now again, I would like to thank all those people, the volunteers and supporters who stayed with us (in the) campaign," he said.
Domagoso also urged voters to continue to cast their ballots despite experiencing some problems with faulty vote counting machines (VCMs) and long lines in their polling precincts.
"At kung saka-sakaling palarin ako sa awa ng Diyos at sa tulong ninyo, bibigyan ko kayo ng kapanatagan. Hindi ko kayo ipapahiya. Makakamove-on forward tayo ng mabilis (and if I would be fortunate to win with God's help and yours, I will give you peace of mind, I will not embarrass you)," he said.
Magat Salamat Elementary School has around 301 polling precincts with 21,000 registered voters in 10 barangays in Manila.
If he wins the presidential race, Domagoso said earlier there will be no squabbling with political foes.
“Kaya, samahan nyo ako mga kababayan, I will give you peace of mind. Walang away, walang higantihan, walang bawian. Focus lang tayo sa problema. Ang tatrabahuhin namin ni Doc Willie (Ong), ang tatrabahuhin namin ni Carl Balita, John Castriciones, Samira Gutoc, at Jopet Sison, magkaroon tayo ng murang bilihin, murang kuryente, murang gasolina, bahay, eskwelahang maayos, ospital, minimum basic needs, at higit sa lahat, makapagbigay tayo ng trabaho sa tao (Please join me, my countrymen, I will give you peace of mind. There will be no fighting, no revenge, no getting even. We will focus on the country's problems. [If] Doc Willie [Ong] wins, we will focus along with Carl Balita, John Castriciones, Samira Gutoc, and Jopet Sison on how to provide cheaper goods for our countrymen, cheap electricity, more affordable gasoline, good schools and hospitals, and the minimum basic needs of our people, we will also focus on providing more jobs for our fellow Filipinos)," he said.
School personnel held a flag-raising ceremony and prayed for a peaceful and orderly election around 5:30 a.m.
Voters were allowed inside the school premises around 6 a.m. with poll watchers arriving at the facility's gate around 5 a.m.
Senior citizens and persons with disabilities were allowed to enter first and were aided by teachers on poll duty.
Meanwhile, Dr. Willie Ong, Domagoso's running mate, cast his vote at the Dasmariñas Village Clubhouse in Makati City.
He thanked all people who supported him in his vice presidential bid. (With a report from Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
