TACLOBAN CITY – Don’t take politics too seriously.
This was the separate advice of Maasin City Mayor Naccional Mercado and Abuyog Mayor Lemuel Gin Traya as they noted that supporters of some candidates, especially those seeking the presidency, are trying to destroy against each other.
Mayor Mercado in particular was reacting to a supporter of a particular presidential candidate holding a Manila paper with the words ‘Leni for Tanod’ written on it.
The mayor said that the act of the said man was uncalled for.
“Please let us show respect to each other’s choices regardless of whom we support to lead our country,” Mercado said.
“With this, I would like to send a strong warning to everyone not to disrespect any candidate or visitors that will visit Maasin City,” he added.
Robredo, who is running for President, held a political rally in Maasin last week.
For his part, Mayor Traya also asked his constituents to respect others’ choices.
A tarpaulin of Robredo and her running mate Sen. Francis Pangilinan was destroyed by an unknown individual.
“I strongly condemn this shenanigan. Let us all be fair,” Mayor Traya said in his post on his official Facebook account.
Traya said that they had received several reports and complaints of malicious defacing of candidates’ campaign materials in their town.
“Time and again, we need to remember that this act is prohibited by law. No one is excused from vandalism,” Traya said.
“Let us all be guided by a righteous and clean campaign. Respect each other’s right to freedom of expression,” he added.
Both Mercado and Traya are known to support the presidential bid of former senator, Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos and his running-mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
