Makati mayoralty bet denies harassment claims

MANILA, Philippines - The camp of Makati City Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, who is running for mayor against Councilor Jejomar Erwin Binay, denied claims that Binay’s supporters were harassed and prevented from posting campaign materials in front of their own houses.

Lawyer Chito Salud, Mercado’s spokesman, said it is not in Mercado’s “nature to harass people.”

“His entire political career was built on winning over people who disagree with him. That has always been his philosophy,” Salud said.

He said “Makati residents know who has repeatedly done such things in the past and who is inclined to prevent people from expressing their political preferences,” apparently referring to Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, the father of Mercado’s closest rival.

Salud said tricycle drivers in the second district have been accosted by city hall’s traffic enforcers from even wearing old campaign t-shirts bearing the name of Mercado.

“The second district is our turf, but tricycle drivers there are being told that they will cited for traffic violations if they wear pro-Mercado t-shirts or have the vice mayor’s old campaign stickers on their vehicles. The people know who has that kind of attitude,” Salud said.

Salud urged Mercado’s supporters to continue following the authorities despite the harassment.

“Just follow their orders or they might hurt you,” Salud said, adding that he is heading a legal team that will help protect Mercado supporters from physical harm.

Salud also appealed to city hall employees to take it easy on ordinary residents and insulate them from political harassment.

“We understand the situation of those from city hall. We just hope that nobody gets hurt. We are all from Makati and there is an election. They don’t need to worry about their jobs. They will find out after the election that ‘Vice’s’ attitude has not changed,” Salud said. – Jose Rodel Clapano