Marañon hits media for "black propaganda" against Lacson

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Those extortion text messages, sent out to barangay captains in Negros Occidental — to attack and destroy the reputation of Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson — came from the media, according to Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr.

“They (media) want us to fight,” Marañon said, insisting that he had nothing to do with those messages.

Marañon and Lacson belong to opposing political parties: Marañon heads the United Negros Alliance, while Lacson came from Love Negros.

The governor said he had the matter investigated. “We verified it. We have strong evidence that it came from the media,” although it is very hard to prove, he said.

Marañon said he will talk to Lacson, who he said does not believe he was the source of the black propaganda.

“People in their right minds will not believe (it came from me). Am I that dumb?,” Marañon said as he warned the media to “police your own ranks. Media are respected, but you’ll be ruined if you get yourself involve in this.”

The public "will not believe in you anymore, and they can't be duped easily," the governor said.

Earlier, Lacson warned the barangay captains that the text messages — saying that the Office of the Vice Governor will extend projects in exchange for P5,000 — were a hoax. — Marchel P. Espina (FREEMAN)