PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

MANILA MAYOR and presidential aspirant Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso vowed to pursue the construction of a bridge that will link Luzon and the Visayas, the northern mainland and central islands in the Philippines through Samar province.

“Because if we connect Luzon and the biggest island (in the Visayas), which is Samar, then everything would become easier, costs will be reduced, there will be transactions, there will be economic movement. Then there will be jobs and job opportunities for our citizens living in the provinces,” Mr. Domagoso was quoted as saying in Filipino in a statement on Wednesday as he continued his campaign sortie in the Visayas.

A bridge connecting Sorsogon and Samar was among the projects dropped from the initial list of priority infrastructure projects of the Duterte administration.  

Meanwhile, the Manila chief defended his distribution of cash assistance to fire victims in Cavite, saying it should not be considered as vote buying, a violation of election rules. 

“I wish them (fire victims) well. I hope they are in a better situation because as far as I’m concerned, the residents of Cavite City are in a bad situation,” he told reporters in Filipino. “It’s hard to be affected by a fire, and under exception, under the law, there are exceptions like in times of calamity or disasters. It’s not wrong to help.” 

“Besides, this is aid and a presidential candidate will not win through 790 families anyway. That is help from the private sector and from my personal things,” he added. — Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan

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