Del Mar physically fit

CONTRARY to the claims and false information spread by his political opponents that he is seriously ill, former House deputy speaker for the Visayas and Cebu City north district congressional candidate Raul del Mar is physically fit to launch a district-wide campaign until the day of the elections on May 13.

Bobby G. Nalzaro

Saksi

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Del Mar, who is running in place of his daughter, Rachel “Cutie” del Mar, dismissed as false the rumor spread by his detractors that he is seriously ill and was operated on due to a freak accident wherein his head reportedly suffered a minor cut. There were even reports that he is confined in one of the hospitals in Manila.

I bumped into del Mar in an uptown restaurant over the weekend and I observed that the former congressman is not suffering from any ailment. But he was tired because he just came from his campaign sorties.

Del Mar said that the opposing camp has been spreading false information that his health has deteriorated. They even quoted one of his doctors, who is a relative. He is also being compared to former mayor and now south district Rep. Tomas Osmeña, who underwent an operation in the United States a few years ago due to his urinary bladder cancer. Tomas claims he is already cancer-free.

But sources within his Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) party said that Osmeña, who is trying to regain control of City Hall in the coming elections, has been skipping campaign sorties, especially during the group's early morning hand-shaking activities because of his “poor health.” His wife, Councilor Margot Osmeña, who is running for reelection, has been doing the campaigning for him. Occasionally, Tomas holds press conferences in his residence.

Raul, who underwent a heart bypass operation more than two decades ago, said his doctors gave him a clean health bill. Surely, he can finish the rigorous campaign until election day.

He even challenged his opponents to also divulge to the public their health condition. He said he does not mind answering this kind of black propaganda because voters in the north district are aware that he is in good physical condition.

He even joked that he can perform a “Gangnam style” dance. But he will not do that in front of a crowd because he is not aspiring to become an entertainer but to be House of Representatives member, whose task is to craft laws and attend to the needs of his constituents.

Well, spreading black propaganda is part of the campaign activities of some politicians and political camps. This is aimed at deceiving the voters.

In black propaganda, people are not aware that someone is trying to influence them and do not feel that they are being pushed to a certain direction. It is a “big lie” and includes all types of creative deceit. Mao nay gi-ingon sa Binisaya nga, sa mailad
lang.

(bobby.nalzaro@yahoo.com)