In this biography
Quick facts
- Born
- 24 October 1974
- Birthplace
- Tondo, Manila, Philippines
- Country
- Philippines
- Nationality
- Filipino
- Known for
- Leading Manila, running for president in 2022 and returning to the mayoralty in 2025
- Full name
- Francisco Moreno Domagoso
- Manila vice mayor
- 2007–2016
- Manila mayor
- 2019–2022 and from 2025
- 2022 result
- Fourth place · 1,933,909 votes
Why this life matters
Moreno turned a life story rooted in Tondo and popular entertainment into an urban-governance brand with national electoral reach.
Timeline
Key moments
Born in Tondo
Born on 24 October and grew up in a low-income household in Manila’s port district.
Entered entertainment
Began a screen career that made the name Isko Moreno widely recognised.
Won a Manila council seat
Entered city government and served three terms representing the first district.
Served as vice mayor
Presided over Manila’s city council for three consecutive terms.
Led Manila as mayor
Won the mayoralty and built a national profile around public-space, health and urban-service projects.
Ran nationally, then returned locally
Placed fourth in the 2022 presidential vote and won another term as Manila mayor in 2025.
From Tondo to entertainment and City Hall
Francisco Moreno Domagoso grew up in Tondo and worked in entertainment under the screen name Isko Moreno. His early biography became central to a political message built around social mobility, street-level familiarity and practical city services.
Moreno won a Manila council seat in 1998 and became vice mayor in 2007. Eighteen years in local office gave him experience in legislation and city administration before an unsuccessful Senate campaign and a short period as a national-government undersecretary.
The Manila mayoralty as a national platform
Elected mayor in 2019, Moreno promoted road clearing, public-space renewal, housing and health infrastructure. His administration’s pandemic response and frequent public communication expanded a local executive profile into a national political brand.
Supporters described the programme as energetic urban renewal; critics debated enforcement, displacement and the use of highly visible projects. The contrast matters because the same governing style became the evidence presented in his presidential campaign.
Presidential defeat and political return
Moreno ran for president in 2022 as leader of Aksyon Demokratiko. Congress recorded 1,933,909 votes, placing him fourth behind Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Leni Robredo and Manny Pacquiao.
He returned to entertainment after the campaign and then contested Manila again in 2025. His victory restored him to the mayoralty, demonstrating the continuing strength of a city-based constituency after a decisive national defeat.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions about Isko Moreno
- Who is Isko Moreno?
- Isko Moreno is an actor and mayor of Manila. Moreno turned a life story rooted in Tondo and popular entertainment into an urban-governance brand with national electoral reach.
- What is Isko Moreno best known for?
- Isko Moreno is best known for leading Manila, running for president in 2022 and returning to the mayoralty in 2025.
- When and where was Isko Moreno born?
- Isko Moreno was born on 24 October 1974 in Tondo, Manila, Philippines.
Sources and further reading
How this biography was checked
Core dates and offices are checked against the sources below. This profile was last reviewed on 9 September 2026.
- Philippine News AgencyIsko Moreno named social welfare undersecretary
- Philippine News AgencyManila mayor discusses first-year record
- Congress of the Philippines via Senate archiveResolution of Both Houses No. 1 — 2022 canvass and proclamation
- Philippine News AgencyIsko Moreno proclaimed Manila mayor in 2025
- City Government of ManilaMayor Isko Moreno in the current Manila administration
- Wikimedia CommonsPortrait and licence record
