MANGATAREM, Pangasinan – Liberal Party (LP) presidential candidate Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and vice presidential bet Camarines Sur Rep. Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo visited vote-rich Pangasinan last October 21 to distribute relief goods to victims of typhoon Lando which started to crawl over the province’s area of responsibility.
The tandem visited the typhoon-hit towns of Infanta and Mangatarem after local officials led by Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. and Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. requested for assistance in behalf of their constituents.
The other Pangasinan leaders who joined Roxas and Robredo in the distribution of relief goods were 2nd Dist. Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil, Board Member Amado “Pogi” Espino, III, Mayor Teddy Cruz of this town, Infanta Mayor Percival Mallare and former Congresswoman Rachel Arenas.
Gov. Espino briefed Roxas on the extent of damages wrought by the typhoon through a flow chart of floodwaters from the mountains that submerged several farmlands and inundated low-lying areas of the province.
When asked by the media if the relief operation is part of the campaign, Roxas said: “You can attest that there were no speeches and we went directly to the distribution (of goods). There was no yellow (object), no campaigns, no votes, no pictures. We really came here for the giving of relief goods.”
Candidates for national posts may only conduct campaigns when the campaign period starts on February 9.
Roxas said he is not worried about what his rivals will say about the relief effort.
“The other side is always going to say whatever it is they are going to say, none of which will be complimentary. So why would I think about what they will say? It is clear to me that we are providing help,” the presidential candidate said.
Roxas also denied the allegation of his political rival Vice President Jejomar Binay that government funds are bankrolling his sorties in typhoon-hit areas.
“We did not use government vehicles when we went to Aurora (province). We delivered relief goods from private donors,” he added.
The administration coalition’s standard bearer also defended Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman from accusations that she was campaigning for LP candidates.
“Maybe we should just ignore such nonsense statements. It is clear that the whole government is doing everything to perform its duty. All departments are focused on providing care to the needy especially those affected by Lando,” Roxas said.