Political campaign strategist Angelito Banayo on Wednesday, Oct. 13 dismissed the speculations that there was “infighting” in the presidential campaign team of Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso.
“Masyado namang ina-angguluhan ng intriga iyong pagbalik sa MBC-DZRH ni Cesar Chavez na hindi lang kaibigan, kundi inaanak ko sa kasal,” Banayo said in a statement via Aksyon Demokratiko.
This came after radio broadcaster Cesar Chavez announced his resignation as chief of staff to Domagoso on Wednesday.
In September, Banayo said Chavez had already told Domagoso that a vice president of the Manila Broadcasting Corporation was retiring and that he was offered the position by top management.
“I said that’s a great opportunity and the Mayor said it would be a good career move since talaga namang love niya ang pagiging (he really loves being a) broadcast journalist. Cesar has been an outstanding and intrepid radio announcer since the Cory Aquino days, which was when we became good friends,” Banayo said.
“Kanya dun sa mga bashers and intrigueros - tigilan nyo na ang chismis at intriga. Walang kabutihang naidudulot iyan,” he added.
In a text message to CNN Philippines, Chavez also clarified there was "no infighting" in the Manila mayor's camp.
Chavez also earlier said the Manila Mayor accepted his decision after talking about the offer.
“I told Mayor Isko about the offer, and my intention to accept the same. Salamat Yorme sa pag-unawa, at pagkakataon makapagtrabaho sa Maynila. Napakaraming magagaling at matitino sa city hall. Maraming salamat sa inyo (Thank you Mayor for understanding and for having a chance to work in Manila. There’s a lot of intelligent and good people in the city hall. Thank you to all of you),” he wrote in his Facebook post..
Banayo, meanwhile, said the camp wished Chavez "all the best as he returns to his professional love from whence he got his moorings in public service".
Aksyon Demokratiko chair Ernest Ramel said Domagoso's camp remained focused "on hearing the voices of neglected Filipinos who are already tired of lies, black propaganda and dirty political tactics."
"We hear them. They want #BilisKilos solutions to the pandemic, to the loss of a lot of livelihood opportunities, to lack of jobs, housing concerns, unabated price increases and the burgeoning national debt," he said.
"Anything and everything these days will be played up. They will put malice where there are none to derail the candidacy of the candidate they are most threatened by," Ramel added.
He said ordinary Filipinos should be "the narrative of this campaign and not the same old tired issues that they want to sadly put front and center."