Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, Vice Mayor Yul Servo announce reelection bid

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna and Vice Mayor Yul Servo have announced their bid for reelection, aiming for a second term as the city’s top officials.

Lacuna and Servo, who ran in tandem in the 2022 elections, announced this on Tuesday, August 27. They are running under Lakas-CMD led by Speaker Martin Romualdez.

During the press conference, Lacuna highlighted the achievements of her administration, particularly her efforts to bring city hall closer to the people through the “Kalinga Sa Maynila” program where she goes around to have dialogues with her constituents.

Lacuna said that they had gone around 500 of the city’s 897 barangays since she was elected as mayor.

As a doctor, Lacuna frequently conducts house-to-house visits to attend to the medical needs of Manila residents. 

She also said that her administration has paid off P2.5 billion of the P17.8-billion debt she inherited from her predecessor, Isko Moreno, for the latter’s infrastructure projects.  Three six-story school buildings were also built during her watch.

Servo, meanwhile, shared the city council’s efforts to enhance transparency and accessibility by launching a website where over 9,000 city ordinances can be accessed. 

He also formed a legislative team dedicated to researching and crafting ordinances for the council’s consideration. 

Under his leadership, the Manila City Council has approved 185 ordinances and 1,119 resolutions. 

Servo, who previously served as a congressman and councilor, claims a perfect attendance record, with only one session missed as vice mayor due to arriving late on August 22.

These achievements have been overshadowed by backlash over a measure mandating Manila employees to secure a health permit worth P625.

The Sanitation and Disinfection Code of Manila, which was approved by then-Manila mayor Moreno in April 2022, requires employees in the country’s capital to secure a health certificate from the Manila Health Department.

The Manila Public Health Laboratory in the Philippines is facing criticism for its dirty and unhygienic condition.

Further tensions have emerged within the city council as the 2025 national and local elections approach. 

Political