Oreta: Duterte misinformed on Malabon drug war

MANILA, Philippines — Malabon Mayor Antolin “Lenlen” Oreta III yesterday said he did not feel alluded to when President Duterte called him out for the proliferation of illegal drugs in the city. 

In an interview after he cast his vote at the Maysilo Elementary School, Oreta said the President was misinformed by people around him that the city government failed to stamp out illegal drugs in the city.

Duterte has endorsed the mayoralty bid of Malabon Vice Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, Oreta’s rival. In a speech during Sandoval’s proclamation rally, Duterte threatened to throw Oreta in Manila Bay for failing to stop the drug menace in Malabon, giving him a one month ultimatum to solve the problem.

Oreta said Sandoval is just ruining the image of the city by misinforming the President, noting that 15 of the 21 barangays in Malabon have been cleared by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

“I don’t feel alluded to (in the President’s speech). I don’t think it was addressed to me. I think he was misinformed with the information given to him,” Oreta said.

He denied Sandoval’s allegation that he is blocking the construction of the upgraded San Lorenzo Ruiz Women’s Hospital, equipped with 200 beds, in Barangay Panghulo, a pet project of the Sandovals.

“I am not blocking any project. That’s only their gimmickry,” Oreta said.

Sandoval’s husband Rep. Ricky Sandoval authored the bill upgrading the hospital.

In an interview after she cast her vote in Baritan, Malabon, Jeannie Sandoval said the Malabon city government sent a letter to Malacañang opposing the project.

“How can you stop the project that will do good for the people?” Sandoval said.