The rivalry between Taguig-Pateros congressional candidates Rep. Ricardo “Ading” Cruz Jr. and former mayor and congressman Lino Cayetano continued to heat up for the May 12 national and local elections.

The candidates for congressman of the 1st District of Taguig-Pateros Cruz (Nacionalista Party), Cayetano (Nationalist People’s Coalition), Allan Cerafica (Partido Federal ng Pilipinas), Peter dela Cruz (independent) and Ricardo Opoc (independent).

1st District of Taguig-Pateros congressional candidates Lino Cayetano (left) and incumbent Rep. Ricardo “Ading” Cruz Jr. at the Candidates Forum in Pateros on April 26 (Photo from Lino Cayetano's Facebook account)

Reelectionist Cruz was endorsed by Lino’s brother, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, and sister-in-law Mayor Lani Cayetano, and is running under Team Lani Cayetano (TLC).

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Pateros organized a candidates forum on April 26 and 27.

Cruz and Lino Cayetano attended the first day of the forum but Cruz skipped the second day.

In a Facebook post, Lino Cayetano said, “Ang usapan haharapin lahat at pag uusapan lahat. Pagkatapos ng mga paratang at hamon mag debate at pangako na paguusapan ang mga issues ng bayan ng Pateros, pagkatapos kwestyunin ang naging panunungkulan ko bilang Mayor, pagkatapos ng lahat. Ang dumating lang sa forum para kinatawan ng unang distrito ay si Engineer Allan Cerafica. (What was agreed upon was [we] will face everything and discuss everything. After the accusations and challenges to debate and promise to discuss the issues of the town of Pateros, after questioning my tenure as Mayor, after all. The only one who came to the forum to represent the first district was Engineer Allan Cerafica).”

He added, “Okay lang yan. Karapatan naman ng lahat mamili ng entablado - pakiusap ko nalang - kung hindi haharap sa Comelecs Candidates Forum - wag na gamitin ang entablado ng TLC para manira ang magkalat ng black propaganda. Ang TLC ay mahal ko, binubuo ng mga grupo, organisasyon at kandidato na sinuportahan at pinaniniwalaan ko (That's okay. Everyone has the right to choose a stage - I just want to request - if you will not face the Comelecs Candidates Forum - stop using the TLC stage to spread black propaganda. I love the TLC, it is made up of groups, organizations and candidates that I support and believe in).”

“Pag usapan natin issues, plataporma at programa at wag natin pag awayan ang mga taong pare-parehong nagtitiwala saatin. Bigyan natin sila ng malayang pagkakataon bumoto at suportahan tayo lalo at ang Kongreso pwede magdala ng napaka laking ambag na tulong sa tao (Let's discuss issues, platforms and programs and let's not fight people who trust us. Let's give them a free opportunity to vote and support us especially and Congress can bring a very big contribution to help the people),” said Lino Cayetano, who is also a TV director.

In a video message alluding to Lino Cayetano, Cruz said, “Lubos po ang aking pagkadismaya sa ginawa ng isa sa aking katunggali sa pagsalungat sa nauna nang itinakdang estruktura ng Comelec. Ang kanyang paghahamon ng debate sabay paglapit sa akin na wari mo ay sinusubok hindi lamang ang aking kandidatura (I am deeply disappointed by the actions of one of my opponents in opposing the previously established structure of the Comelec. His challenge to a debate while approaching me as if you were testing not only my candidacy).”

“Sa katunayan pinuna at pinagsabihan siya ng Comelec sa kanyang maling asal at gawa. Nais ko pong ipabatid sa inyo na wala akong inihayag na paninira o hindi totoo. Lahat ng aking inihayag ay batay lamang sa katotohanan. Isang katotohanang karapatan ninyong malaman bilang mamamayan na naghahangad ng maayos, tapat at epektibong pamamahala (In fact, the Comelec criticized and reprimanded him for his wrong behavior and actions. I want to inform you that I did not state anything defamatory or untrue. Everything I stated was based solely on the truth. A truth that you have the right to know as a citizen who desires good, honest and effective governance),” he said.

Cruz said what he has been telling is only the truth.

“Minsan masakit talagang marinig ang katotohanan. Para itong bato-bato sa langit Yung magagalit ay yung tinatamaan. Malinaw ko pong inilahad ang aking mga nagawa sa loob ng tatlong taong panunungkuluan bilang inyong congressman, maging ang mga gagawin ko pa sa pagpapatuloy ng pag-aangat ng TaPat (Sometimes it really hurts to hear the truth. It is like a stone falling from the sky. Those who get angry are the ones who get hit. I have clearly stated my achievements during my three years as your congressman, as well as what I will do to continue to elevate TaPat,” he said.

He added, “Minarapat ko pong hindi na dumalo sa susunod na forum. Hindi ko po papayagan na mabahiran ng drama, kasinungalingan, maling impormasyon o mga scripted na palabas ang ating hangaring makapagsilbi ng buong katapatan at dedikasyon. Gawa hindi salita ang kailangan ng Unang Distrito. Serbisyo hindi pangako ang mag-aangat sa TaPat. Performance hindi drama ang magpapaunlad sa buhay at kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan (I have decided not to attend the next forum. I will not allow drama, lies, misinformation or scripted shows to taint our desire to serve with full honesty and dedication. Actions, not words, are what the First District needs. Service, not promises, will elevate TaPat. Performance, not drama, will improve the lives and livelihoods of our countrymen).”

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