Davide slams Galeos over “disinformation”

MANILA, Philippines — Cebu Vice Governor Hilario Davide III has called out his political opponent, Second District Rep. Edsel Galeos, for allegedly spreading misinformation against him during public gatherings and discussions within their district.

“I am told you would always bad-mouth me to your audience, telling them that ‘ang akong kaatbang wala’y nahimo’ (my opponent did nothing). This is sad and unfortunate,” Davide wrote in an open letter to Galeos.

While acknowledging that political discourse sometimes leads to misleading statements, Davide said he felt compelled to counter Galeos’ claims and highlight the programs and projects undertaken by the Cebu Provincial Government during his administration as governor of the province.

“We both know you’re lying. I pity you. I never expected that you would go down that low,” added the vice governor, who is running for congress against Galeos.

Davide outlined various projects implemented in the second district, which comprises seven towns and 143 barangays. Among these was a P6-million fund allocated for the acquisition of real property in Barangay Bogo, where the new Isidro Kintanar Memorial Hospital now stands. An additional P5 million was earmarked for the development and improvement of the said land. These initiatives took place when Galeos was serving as mayor of Argao.

Furthermore, Davide highlighted that the provincial government provided P108 million in financial assistance for various programs and projects in the town and its barangays, including the construction of a public market in Barangay Poblacion and P2 million for infrastructure and road concreting projects. Additionally, over P180 million was allocated for infrastructure projects, primarily road concreting works in several road sections in Argao.

For other towns in the second district, Davide enumerated several initiatives, including a P25-million financial aid package for the rehabilitation of Dalaguete’s Casa Real and the farm-to-market road in Barangay Mantalongon, a P21-million road concreting project for the Alcoy-Nug-as road sections, and a P5-million fund for the public market in Barangay Nug-as, Alcoy. He also cited a P17-million fund for the construction of a seawall, rehabilitation of public structures, and other projects in Boljoon.

Additionally, Davide pointed out that his administration implemented multiple road concreting and improvement projects in Oslob, Santander, and Samboan. As vice governor, he said his office has continued to support the second district by extending P70 million in assistance through his Legislative Assistance Fund (LAF).

While Davide expressed skepticism that Galeos would acknowledge these efforts, he stressed the importance of correcting the record and addressing “unfounded claims and falsehoods” that mislead the public. He urged his opponent to engage in honest discussions with their constituents.

“The people of our district deserve a fair and factual discourse and not political theatrics that serve no one but those who seek to hide the truth and gain from misinformation and disinformation,” Davide emphasized.

Efforts to reach Galeos for comment on the allegations proved unsuccessful as of press time.

Meanwhile, Davide confirmed that Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia had invited him to be her running mate in the upcoming midterm elections, but he declined in favor of directly serving his constituents in the second district. Galeos, on the other hand, is seeking reelection under LAKAS-CMD. (CEBU NEWS)