President Duterte yesterday advised politicians, particularly those running in the May midterm polls, not to play with his speeches to paint their political enemies in a bad light.
Duterte made the statement as he claimed that congressional candidate former Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella has “spliced” and “mixed up” his speeches to make it appear that reelectionist Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia is involved in the illegal drugs trade.
In a video uploaded in his official Facebook page, Duterte said it is unfair to play with his speeches so that another person would be painted in a bad light.
“I do not want something that is a fraud… Ayaw ko yung gagamitin yung pangalan ko for something which is not true,” Duterte said. “I would like to tell the people of Bacolod. Wala akong sinabit na mayor diyan. But kung tanungin ninyo kung sino para sa akin ang… I do not want a guy na sabi ko making a fraud sa lahat ng sinasabi ko,” he added.
Duterte said that he is supporting the mayoral bid of Leonardia as he is the “better” candidate. “I am supporting Leonardia for the mayorship of Bacolod City. I think the better guy is the more direct and honest. Siya ang gusto kong maging mayor, I am supporting him,” he said.
“Not really in so many words or in so many other things that I would do for him, alam naman natin ang panahon. Just a statement, a simple statement that I am supporting him. Because to me he is the better candidate for mayorship,” he added.
Duterte told Puentevella to not play with his speeches to make someone appear bad. “I was, purposely and intentionally, binaliktad yung salita. Hindi naman ho fair ‘yan. Actually, my advice kay Mayor Monico is ‘wag ganoon,’” he said.
“Gamitin mo pangalan ko, tapos yung mga speeches ko ini-splice ninyo tapos dinagdagan ninyo ng ibang – pinaghahalo-halo ninyo lumalabs na si Leonardia ang nasa droga. Mali po ‘yun,” he added. (Argyll Geducos)
