DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — The political camp of Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong (1st dist., Negros Oriental), who is running for governor in the May 13 elections, has vehemently denied reports that counterfeit money were confiscated from her possession and that said money will be used to buy votes.
The text message was circulated over the last five days and has been spreading like wild fire, prompting political quarters to call for vigilance among its members and supporters.
Unconfirmed reports have it that millions of pesos were being spent every day throughout the province by moneyed politicians with heavy concentration in rich-vote areas like in this capital city.
Limkaichong's camp said this was nothing but black propaganda crafted by her opponents as a desperate move to put her down. She urged the intelligence section of the police to do its job in tracing the source of the text message, which is in violation of certain laws on rumor mongering.
The gubernatorial candidate did not discount the possibility that this text message was being employed by moneyed politicians who have been into vote buying to ensure their victory.
According to her spokesperson, the text was initially traced as coming from a certain “Sugar Ray,†whom she refused to elaborate.
City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria said this matter can happen, and he has been calling for an investigation by the police and vigilance by the public.
This developed as Negros Oriental Police provincial director, Sr. Supt. Noli Romana has also denied the existence of such report. In a text message sent to a radio station, he said, “I don't know anything about the existence of such report. It's the political season, we all know that.†(FREEMAN)