He took a course on local legislation at UP College of Public Administration and Governance then ran for councilor in Manila and won. He served for three terms (nine years), but would still appear in TV dramas every now and then, like “Mga Anghel na Walang Langit”, “Bakekang”, “Ligaw na Bulaklak” and “Magpakailanman”. He’s currently Manila vice mayor but will run as senator in the next elections. His wife Diana Lynn gave him four sons and one daughter. The eldest boy, Vincent Patrick, is now 17 years old. The youngest, Drake Marcus, is 3 years old. He’s not against them joining showbiz but he has one requirement: “Give me first a college diploma.”
Another Moreno is running as senator, Alma, who became controversial after being interviewed by Karen Davila. Isko was later also interviewed by Karen before but he came out with flying colors. “Nakatikim din naman ako ng pangungutya noong araw. Pero dahil doon, nagpursige akong bumalik sa pag-aaral. Aside from local legislation, I took up finance. Then nag-apply ako sa executive program ng Harvard JFK School of Governance at, fortunately, natanggap ako. Then sa Oxford University at sa awa ng Diyos, natanggap din ako. So kung may kakulangan tayong pinuna ng iba, wake up call yon na kailangan, mag-aral ka.”
What can he say about Karen as a host? “She’s a good interviewer,, but you really have to come prepared. Hindi inaasahan ng mga tao sa’yo na alam mo lahat ng sagot but they expect na may personal kang opinyon tungkol sa issues na nakakaapekto sa buhay nila. Hindi naman answerable ng yes or no ang questions. It’s a matter of how you look at it, so kailangan, maging handa ka.”
So why is he running now for the senate instead of going one step higher in Manila as mayor? “Sometimes, you have to set aside your personal interest for the good of your city. Nakikita naman nating okay ang takbo ng Manila under Mayor Erap Estrada, so kailangan munang lumiko ako, umiba ng daan. Sanay naman ako sa legislative work dahil as councilor and vice mayor, gumagawa kami ng batas for Manila but, sa senate, national na.”
Isn’t he afraid his detractors might try to demolish him by publishing his sexy photos when he was an actor? “No, they did it before but binoto pa rin ako ng tao. At saka, it’s all over the internet. May nag-aalok nga sa’kin, lilinisin daw nila lahat ng internet files ko. Sabi ko, hindi kailangan, proud akong naging artista ako dahil malinis na hanapbuhay yan. Bahagi yan ng what I am now.”
