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Sunday, April 18, 2004
Garcia denies `vote-buying'
By Aurea A. Gerundio
DAVAO -- Re-electionist Rep. Vincent Garcia, of the second district of Davao City, challenged first time congressional candidate Joey Lumain to name the barangay council members whom Garcia allegedly paid in exchange for support in the May elections.
In an interview with Sun.Star Davao Saturday, Garcia laughed off accusations that he is "buying" votes from staunch supporters of former city mayor Benjamin de Guzman.
"Lumain's statement that I paid P50,000 each to the councilmen is impossible. Let him (Lumain) identify these supporters para malaman ang totoo," Garcia said.
Earlier, Lumain insisted to be quoted that Garcia paid barangay council members identified with de Guzman to vote for him this elections.
"He is campaigning only for himself nga dapat unta gi-apil niya ug kampanya si Mayor Duterte kay naa sila'y unity ticket (when he should also be campaigning for Mayor Rodrigo Duterte because he belongs to the unity ticket)," Lumain said.
Lumain said some of the barangay councilmen, whom Garcia reportedly paid, informed him about this. Lumain, however, refused to name these officials.
He added that the councilmen are called to a meeting in a resort where they are promised P50,000 each, which is given in installments.
"Saan naman 'yan na resort? Let him prove his allegations against me," Garcia said.
Garcia said Lumain is creating incredible stories against him. "How will I not campaign for Duterte eh magkasama kami sa mga rallies? Everday, kasama ko rin sa pangangampanya ang mga members ng unity ticket," Garcia said.
Garcia said that in the last four surveys conducted by his camp, all the eight city councilors of the second district belonging to the unity ticket received positive response from the people.
"If I am not campaigning for my partymates, then the survey results would tell. Eh, okay naman ang resulta ng survey," Garcia said.
Garcia refused to criticize Lumain. He said it is not his style to hurl accusations against another to attract attention.
"During rallies, I never say anything against my opponents. Kahit kabilaan na ang batikos sa akin, I only campaign for our party. Hindi ko style ang manira ng tao," Garcia said.
With regards to reports that candidate representative Teofilo Badilles will extend support for Lumain after deciding to withdraw from the race, Garcia just wished both good luck.
"Mas maganda panalo na sila. Palagi naman sinasabi ng isa (referring to Lumain) na marami na sa mga supporters ko ang nag-signify din ng support for him. Panalo na sila," Garcia said.
Garcia stressed that the local unity ticket forged between the Lakas-CMD and the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod is still working as one team in his district and united as ever.
In a press statement, he was committed to join the unity ticket way back in December 2003.
He assured the entire council slate in his district is campaigning hard with the objective of seeing that all membrs of the unity ticket emerged winners in the coming elections.
"We are campaigning for the victory of all starting from the president, the vice president, the entire senatorial slate of K4 and more importantly the local slate," Garcia said. With BOT
(April 18, 2004 issue)
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