HONOLULU, Hawaii (The Adobo Chronicles, Honolulu Bureau) – House Deputy Speaker and former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza has been adopted by the City and County of Honolulu as its honorary mayor.

Atienza is vying for the position of Vice President in the May 2022 elections under Senator Manny Pacquiao’s party. Pacquiao is running for President.

The Adobo Chronicles learned that Honolulu is making this move in line with the sister city relationship between the Hawaiian city and Manila.

Honolulu has about 30 sister cities across the globe.

Asked why Honolulu didn’t pick incumbent mayor Isko Moreno as its honorary mayor, a spokesperson said that Atienza was chosen because of being a poster boy for the Aloha shirt. The VP aspirant has made the Hawaiian shirt his signature attire.

”We appreciate his ongoing promotion of Hawaii,” the spokesperson said.