CEBU, Philippines - Toledo City Mayor Aurelio “Rudy†Espinosa has urged his opponent, former senator John Henry “Sonny†Osmeña to be fair in his campaign and avoid mudslinging.
“Nanghinaot ko nga unta fair play lang, mangampanya lang unta pero walay dautay, kay dili pod mi mangdaut. Unta iya na unta nang undangon ang iyang pagpandaut (I hope he will observe fair play and avoid mudslinging),†Espinosa told The FREEMAN.
Osmeña denied using dirty tactics in his campaign and insisted that what he is doing is just to enlighten the public.
“Wala man mi mangdaut, tinuod man among gipangsulti. Public official sila, ila gyung atubangon ang ilang mga anomalies. What we are doing is enlightening the public. The issue is performance, graft and corruption. If it is unfairness, we don’t know what accountability is all about, there is nothing unfair in telling the truth, though it may hurt them,†Osmeña said.
In his recent visit to Barangay Biga, Espinosa answered all the allegations hurled by Osmeña against him.
According to Espinosa, Osmeña has been using the radio as means to destroy them through anchor Nanding Celeste. He said Celeste had been telling lies against him and his daughter, Vice Mayor Arlene Zambo.
“Radio lang ang ilang gigamit kay dili sila makapangampanya kay tua sila sa siyudad. Kanang gipangyawyaw ni Nanding Celeste, dili kana tinuod,†Espinosa told the crowd in Barangay Biga.
Osmeña allegedly hired Celeste to do the black propaganda against them.
Osmeña however denied it saying he no longer has the resources to pay Celeste. He claimed that what Celeste had been saying over the radio is true and he allegedly has basis for it.
“Wala na tawn koy kwarta, it is not true. Everybody is talking about it and Nanding is telling the truth. Nanding’s services are almost for free, iyang gipanulti naa nay basehan,†Osmeña said. — (FREEMAN)