Moreno resigns from NUP; oathtaking with Aksyon Demokratiko postponed amid vaccination site issues

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 5)— Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has resigned as member and top official of the National Unity Party (NUP).

Through a letter addressed to the party’s secretary general and dated Aug. 4, Moreno tendered his resignation as NUP’s vice chairman for political affairs.

“I am very thankful to the party for giving me the chance to serve it the best way possible,” Moreno wrote in the document, a copy of which was obtained by reporters on Thursday.

The development comes amid Moreno’s reported move to another political party Aksyon Demokratiko.

A highly-placed source from Moreno’s camp confirmed the mayor was supposed to take his oath as member of the party on Thursday, but decided to focus on the recent issues hounding vaccination centers in Manila.

Some of the inoculation sites in the city saw an alarming number of people lining up early and eventually crowding the areas ahead of the hard lockdown in the capital region.

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Aksyon Demokratiko is a political party founded by late senator Raul Roco.

Moreno, however, has yet to announce his plans for next year’s elections.

CNN Philippines Correspondent Paolo Barcelon contributed to this report.