PCOO PHOTO | KING RODRIGUEZ
President Rodrigo Duterte’s testing czar and adviser on infrastructure is set to formally join the campaign team of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno for next year’s presidential election, the mayor’s chief campaign strategist said.
Secretary Vince Dizon has been helping in Moreno’s campaign, assisting in research designs, surveys, and focus group discussions, said Lito Banayo, who described him as a “brilliant strategist.”
After Dizon returns from abroad this week, Banayo said Dizon would likely serve as a “second lead” in the Moreno campaign.
“Mahirap naman magsinungaling. Yeah, he’s been on board kaya lang hindi nga publicly dahil meron pa siyang government position na hinahawakan,” Banayo said on journalist Christian Esguerra’s “Facts First” podcast.
Last month, Dizon resigned as president and chief executive officer of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, but reportedly stayed on to help in the government’s pandemic response.
He is the administration’s point person in its testing program for Covid-19 and also serves as deputy implementer of the pandemic response plan.
As adviser on flagship programs and projects, Dizon helped in implementing big-ticket items under Duterte’s massive “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure push.
Dizon was recruited to the Moreno campaign in the middle of the year, and had informed the president of his decision, said Banayo.
“Pumayag naman si presidente. Ang sabi ni Presidente, ‘Buhay mo yan e. I understand that,’” said Banayo, who was also a Duterte official before joining Moreno last June.
Banayo served as Duterte’s envoy to Taiwan as chairman of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office.