No politics over tarp removal
Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso clarified he was merely maintaining cleanliness when he asked that numerous tarpaulins declaring communists persona non grata in Manila be brought down.
The mayor issued the statement after he received criticism for his decision to take down the signs.
“I’m simply doing our job of keeping the city clean,” Domagoso said. “There’s no politics in it.”
In an interview with Daily Tribune, he said he ordered the removal of the tarps as part of his citywide cleanup drive.
He pointed out that since the start of his administration, it had been his policy to clean and clear the city of all forms of dirt and obstruction.
He stressed there was no politics involved in his order and that he was merely “cleaning house.”
“We have a city ordinance against all forms of vandalism and unauthorized billboards and tarpaulins. If you will remember, during last year’s observance of Undas, I had all the tarps of politicos removed from the Manila North Cemetery. I did the same last Christmas and at all fiestas, even if they happen to be party mates,” Domagoso said.
Although he admitted some of his friends were hurt by his move, it is all part of good governance.
Just recently, the mayor ordered the removal of graffiti painted by leftist sympathizers at the Welcome Rotunda two weeks ago. City workers immediately worked to erase the signs within an hour after the monument’s walls were vandalized.
Last year, he also castigated radical youth group Panday Sining after they defaced the walls of the Manila City Hall underpass a day after it was opened to the public following weeks of renovation.
The mayor said during this time of the pandemic, people must work together to find a solution to the health crisis.