Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 2) – Vice President Leni Robredo’s spokesperson on Thursday hit the reported removal of campaign materials put up in some areas by her supporters.
In a statement, Atty. Barry Gutierrez said they have received complaints from residents of Zamboanga City and Masbate City that their tarpaulins, posters, and pink ribbons endorsing Robredo for president – even those displayed in private properties – were taken down this week.
In the case of Masbate City, Gutierrez said the removal was done ahead of the vice president’s Tuesday visit.
“Isa itong paglabag sa karapatan ng lahat ng Pilipino na malayang ipahayag ang suporta nila sa isang kandidato, at hindi dapat ginagawa ninuman, lalo na sa isang demokratikong bansa tulad ng Pilipinas,” Gutierrez said.
[Translation: This is a violation of Filipinos’ right to freely express their support for a candidate, and this should not be done by anyone, especially in a democratic country like the Philippines.]
According to Gutierrez, the materials taken down were made and paid for by Robredo’s supporters themselves.
“Sa mga gumagawa nito, ganito na ba talaga sila katakot, na pati posters ni VP Leni na kinabit ng ating mga volunteers kailangang tanggalin?” he said.
[Translation: To the culprits, are they really that scared, that they removed even VP Leni’s posters which were put up by volunteers?]
Robredo is running with Senator Kiko Pangilinan as her vice presidential candidate. Other key contenders in the presidential race are former senator Bongbong Marcos, Senators Ping Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, and labor leader Leody de Guzman.
