Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso will be running for president in 2022, making the upcoming polls next year a 5-cornered fight at this point.

Domagoso will declare his presidential bid on Wednesday (September 22) at the Baseco Compound in Tondo, Manila, his campaign manager Lito Banayo said.

The Manila mayor will also have Dr. Willy Ong, a health advocate and 2019 senatorial candidate, as his running mate.

The other political personalities who have been endorsed by their respective parties to run for president in 2022 are Senators Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, and Panfilo “Ping” Lacson; and former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Last August, Domagoso was elected president of Aksyon Demokratiko that was founded by the late Senator Raul Roco.

Ernest Ramel, the party’s newly-elected chairperson, earlier said Domagoso has a clean track record and tangible accomplishments.

“We saw in Yorme someone with a clean track record, tangible accomplishments, and a vision that the party shares,” Ramel said.

“We are confident that he will be able to help lead the party in its thrust to be a unifying force in an atmosphere of heavy political polarization,” Ramel added.

Among the prominent officers of Aksyon Demokratiko is Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, now its executive vice president.

“Prior to his membership and eventual election as party president, Aksyon Demokratiko and Mayor Isko had a meeting of minds and hearts in many aspects,” the party said in an earlier statement.

“We agreed on the Covid-19 response then to providing jobs and livelihood at these times. We also agreed on the rule of law, focusing on education, housing, and health care,” the party said.