Isko Moreno on Monday urged city government employees to serve the public with dignity and respect, reaffirming his role and responsibility as Manila’s chief executive amid recent controversies surrounding City Hall.

Moreno called on all local government unit employees to help him continue delivering proper public service to Manileños, saying governance requires collective effort.

He appealed to city workers to work with him toward building a better City of Manila, stressing that he has no other request but for them to serve the people properly.

Moreno said that while he is mayor, he cannot solve all the city’s problems alone and needs the support and cooperation of government workers to deliver efficient services today and in the days ahead.

He emphasized personal accountability, saying no one else should be blamed for decisions made by the city government, especially amid challenges that test leadership.

Moreno reiterated that he bears full responsibility for the actions and decisions undertaken by the city to address what he described as “real problems with real solutions.”

He said leadership requires making difficult choices and warned against passive governance, likening inaction to seeking popularity over performance.

“You have nothing to do, you have no enemies, but you also have no services for the people, and you have seen that. If you are a passive leader, no work will be done," Moreno said.

He stressed that leadership means standing at the front and bearing responsibility for the actions of both the leader and personnel, regardless of the cost.

Moreno added that leaders must sometimes endure hardship to fulfill their duties, saying difficult decisions are part of effective governance.

He also said city officials must lead from the front, not from behind, noting that all decisions and initiatives of the Manila city government are guided by its mandate and responsibility to the public.