Sugat sa Guadalupe“Type O” bottledwater distributed in church

CEBU, Philippines - Despite earlier warning against politics meddling with church affairs, mineral water bottles bearing a political party’s name were spotted at the Sugat sa Guadalupe.

“Type O” and “BOPK” were printed on mineral water bottles distributed among Easter Sunday highlights spectators and churchgoers at the mostly populated parish.

Right after the religious reenactment, The FREEMAN chanced upon a group calling the attention of parishioners right outside the church main gate.

Meat stall owner Douglas Labra said this was a personal decision independent from Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) political party when asked if he is a local leader of the party.

“This is my own way of expressing my support to the candidates whom I believe in,” Labra told The FREEMAN while handing bottles of water to whoever passes by the multicab parked right in front of his meat stall.

But less than five minutes after the interview, the stall suddenly closed and the multicab fled with water bottles placed inside several sacks.  BOPK chairman and mayoralty candidate Congressman Tomas Osmeña denied the party’s involvement.

“I stopped it immediately when I was given and saw it myself. I was there (in Guadalupe church). A salesman of some company tried to sell BOPK the idea. I said it can’t be done during the campaign period. He said he would send me samples. That was over 2 weeks ago. I never heard about it ‘til someone handed me a bottle at about midnight,” Osmeña told The FREEMAN.

In addition, Osmeña said he or his party did not pay for the production of personalized water bottles manufactured by Voda Fresh Purified Drinking Water located at Corner C. Padilla St. and Tres de Abril St., Cebu City as printed at the bottle.

“Those were samples I never ordered or worse, paid for. Yes, of course, I will warn them if they come back to me,” he added.  (FREEMAN)