Malacañang has deplored the vote-shaming carried out by some groups who refuse to accept defeat of their candidates in the midterm elections.
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said demeaning fellow voters as “bobotanes” was wrong, as he appealed to the public to take the high road and rise above “partisan and divisive politics.”
“We find it unfortunate that some quarters who could not accept the crushing defeat of their senatorial candidates would resort to ad hominem arguments, such as vote shaming, to stress their points,” Andanar said.
“Questioning or putting doubt on the ‘intelligence’ of the Classes D and E voters, derisively referred to as ‘bobotantes,’ is simply wrong,” he added.
Andanar also defended former Philippine National Police chief presumptive Sen. Ronald dela Rosa from criticisms about his capability in becoming a senator. Dela Rosa is among the administration senatorial candidates who landed in the “Magic 12” based on partial and unofficial count of the ballots.
“Laughing off and casting aspersions on the ability of presumptive Sen. Ronald dela Rosa because of a post-election interview is counterproductive,” he said. “Let us take the high road, like the commendable appeals made by Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Risa Hontiveros, and rise above partisan and divisive politics,” he added. (Genalyn Kabiling)