Enrile team assails dirty tricks

MANILA, Philippines - The campaign team of United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) candidate for Sen. Jack Enrile today denounced the series of incidents of a suspicious nature that have occurred in the past days.

“Without a doubt, these are dirty tricks that are obviously meant to harass, intimidate and provoke Jack, our staff and supporters,” Johnny Garcia, campaign manager of Team Enrile said.

Garcia recounted that late last week, members of Enrile’s campaign communications staff received calls from some reporters asking to verify negative press releases. It was discovered that two fake email addresses using Enrile’s name had been sending out messages, statements and releases without the knowledge and approval of the candidate or of anyone from his team.

Last April 29, in Bulan, Sorsogon, while Enrile was giving out campaign materials to the crowd that had gathered for a rally, a man came from behind and hit him on the nape, shouting invectives. Garcia said that even as the man attempted to hit Enrile again, the candidate merely turned around and tossed a campaign t-shirt to the man.

After the incident, Enrile and his team proceeded to a fast food outlet nearby, but some reports in media later stated that other patrons were asked by Enrile’s group to leave. “That did not happen at all. Jack and the team merely had snacks along with the other customers there.”

“I see these are moves to get Jack and the other UNA candidates out of the top 12 in survey rankings,” Garcia said. “The other team has the resources and manpower and therefore the audacity to pull off these dirty stunts,” he added.