MANILA, Philippines - It seems the use of black propaganda is an ongoing campaign strategy nowadays from the national to the local level.
The leading congressional candidate in the third district of Batangas, lawyer Chona Maloles Dimayuga of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, is victimized by black propaganda.
A story that was erroneously published by this newspaper in November 2001 against the so-called “Ateneo Mafia,” a group in the DOJ, is being circulated to discredit her.
The editor-in-chief of this newspaper investigated the allegations nine years ago and found those false and without basis. In fact, the said article had already been deleted in Star files long before it was circulated anew.
Thus, any further reference to an article allegedly published by this newspaper to discredit Dimayuga is strongly denied and castigated by this newspaper.
Dimayuga’s performance as a provincial board member has been greatly praised. She has authored several landmark ordinances like the 2010 Real Property Tax Code of the Province of Batangas, which lowered real estate taxes.
Her accomplishments during her first term had surpassed those of her colleagues’ who are already on their last terms.
Dimayuga obtained her Bachelor of Laws in Ateneo, graduating salutatorian the class of ’84. She was also one of the pro bono private prosecutors in the impeachment case against former President Joseph Estrada.