Joaquin Domagoso runs for Manila councilor, as father Isko Moreno seeks mayoral post

MANILA, Philippines – Actor Joaquin Domagoso is following in the footsteps of his father, former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, as he runs for councilor of Manila’s 1st District.

Joaquin, 22, filed his certifcate of candidacy as councilor on Tuesday, October 8, the same day Isko submitted his for the position of mayor.

Isko’s political career began as a Manila councilor, serving from 1998 to 2007. He later ran as vice mayor and had three consecutive terms.

Under the administration of then-president Rodrigo Duterte, Isko held prominent positions, such as chairman and chief executive officer of North Luzon Railways Corporation and as an undersecretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

When Isko ran for president in 2022, Joaquin joined him on the campaign trail.

In a 2022 interview with Rappler, Isko said that he sees himself in Joaquin.

“I see myself in him when it comes to people engagement. He is also the one who approaches (the people); he is the one who reaches out,” Isko said in a mix of English and Filipino.

However, in the same interview, Joaquin said that he was not planning to enter politics. Isko also said that he didn’t want members of his family to run simultaneously.

“Pakiusap ko sa kanila hanggang nasa gobyerno ako ‘wag kayong maggo-gobyerno,” said Isko. (I ask them not to enter politics while I am in government.)

The situation has now changed.

For the 2025 elections, father and son will be running together as local candidates. – Rappler.com