"They are barking at the wrong tree."

This was the reaction of Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella to suspicions that it was his camp that was responsible for distributing black propaganda materials during the Holy Week portraying Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Vice Mayor Renecito Novero and City Legal Officer Allan Zamora in very despicable sketches. The materials were distributed starting Holy Wednesday in the coffee shops of SM City and Robinson's Place Bacolod, particularly in their comfort rooms.

Leonardia said it must be an act of desperation on the part of his political opponents to resort to such acts while the Christian world was reflecting on the sufferings of Jesus Himself.

He said this only shows the kind of political opponents they have, and the character of those who will do anything to seize the leadership in the city. Through this, the people will know the vile nature of such candidates and their cohorts, he added. The worst is that they even used the name of the Office of the Ombudsman and this is disrespect to that office, especially because they indicated the name of Tanodbayan Ma. Mercedita Gutierrez, Leonardia said.

He also said his group does not resort to black propaganda, they stick to issues that are true and which the people must know.

Puentevella said "Like all politicians, Leonardia and Novero have plenty of enemies so we can have a whole spectrum of suspects."

He said that for two weeks he has been a victim of black propaganda himself all over the place but it doesn't affect him because it's not true anyway, referring to the exposé of former Games and Amusement Board commissioner Alex Paglumotan against him.

"I wonder why this one affects them?" Puentevella asked. "Let's not be cry babies but let's be men enough," he said.*CGS

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