By Hannah Torregoza
The camp of former Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II on Thursday expressed relief after Sen. Panfilo Lacson cleared the former Interior secretary from allegations he misused funds intended for the victims of super typhoon "Yolanda."
Representative Edgar "Egay" Erice, Roxas' campaign manager, said the former Cabinet official is thankful to the senator for attesting to his innocence on the issue.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson and former Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II (MANILA BULLETIN)
"Malinaw sa mga COA report, sa mga ginawang imbestigasyon, at ngayon, sa sinabi ng rehabilitation czar na si Senator Ping Lacson: Walang ninakaw na Yolanda funds si Mar Roxas (It was clear on the Commission on Audit report, during the investigation, and now, with rehabilitation czar Sen. Ping Lacson: Mar Roxas did not steal any Yolanda funds)," Erice said in a statement.
Erice, at the same time, urged the public to shun any fake news being shared on social media blaming Roxas for the alleged mishandling of the funds.
"Panahon ngayon ng kampanya, at uso ang pagpapakalat ng mga fake news at intriga katulad ng nangyari noong 2016 (It's campaign season and disseminating fake news and intrigues seem to be the norm, like what happened in 2016)," he said.
"Sigurado ako na maraming netizens ang nakakapansin na espesyal na atensiyon ang ibinibigay ng mga troll kay Mar (I'm sure many netizens have observed the special attention trolls are giving Mar)," he added.
"Kaya nga kasabay ng pasasalamat namin kay Senator Ping, nananawagan kami sa ating mga kababayan: Doon lang po tayo sa totoo (That's why, as we thank Sen. Ping, we reiterate our call to our citizens: let's stick to what is true)," he reiterated.
Erice said voters will face the biggest decision this upcoming May 2019 midterm elections as they choose the future leaders of the country.
"Tiwala kami na ang pagbabatayan nila ay ang katotohanan, at hindi ang sabi-sabi ng kung sinu-sino sa Internet (We trust that the people will vote base on truth and not just what is said by netizens on the Internet)," Erice said.
According to Erice, no amount of fake news would be able to remove the reality that people are still reeling over high prices of goods and services, lack of jobs and opportunities and other problems.