AN ALLY of former second district congressional candidate Rufus Rodriguez denied reports that he was hospitalized.

Barangay 23 councilor Jaime Frias said he was not confined in a local hospital but only advised to rest by a doctor.

“He was not hospitalized. In fact, he was at Mayor Dongoy’s wake on Tuesday for a tribute then he went to Barangay 26 for a rally,” he said.

Frias said Rodriguez was advised to take antibiotics because of his cough and fever, as a result of over fatigue from the nonstop rallies in different barangays.

Alam Lim’s camp, meanwhile, issued a statement Wednesday, May 8, wishing rival Rodriguez to “get well soon”.

Omar Labuntog, Lim’s spokesman, also challenged Rodriguez to issue the candidate’s latest medical bulletin.

He added that they have received verified information about the confinement of the former congressman.

“We, however, do not want to speculate on this sensitive health issue. While politics can be bitter, ill-will against anybody is not acceptable,” Labuntog said.

Puntod barangay captain Rex Tinampay who happens to be the former president of the Centrist Democratic Party, Rodriguez’s political party, but is supporting Lim’s candidacy also said, “If indeed the former congressman is sick, we wish him to get well soonest. We may have political differences, but we do not wish to burn bridges.”