Presidential candidate Manila Mayor Isko Moreno defended the sale of the Divisioria Public Market.
In a chance interview in Misamis Oriental, Moreno told the media that the supposed sale of the market went to Manila’s pandemic response funds.
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The news was first reported by The Manila Times. It was reportedly sold for Php1.45 billion to Festina Holdings Inc.
According to the report, Moreno was given the authority to approve the sale and conduct a public bidding on the 3,700-square meter property following a Manila resolution of Vice Mayor Honey Lacuña.
He stressed that it was not him who entered in an onerous deal with Festina Holdings Inc. He was referring to former mayor Mel Lopez.
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“As much as possible, I would like to respect the dead. But data will show that it was his father who did it, who exposed the city government in a very gravely disadvantageous situation,” Moreno said.
“History and data will judge me. I’m just happy I was able to build public housing communities and hospitals and provide medicine and equipment. People are more important at this time of crisis,” he added.
