ILOILO CITY — Groups supporting the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo have publicly denounced the call of others to boycott businesses whose owners are seen to support the candidacy of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“This is to clarify that Iloilo Educators for Leni, as a group, has never called to boycott any establishment in Iloilo,” the group said in a statement Tuesday, October 26.
“We encourage having a sound and informative discourse, instead of resorting to bashing, spreading of fake news or even boycotting of businesses,” echoed Team Leni Robredo Iloilo.
This was after a member posted on its Facebook group list of businesses in Iloilo City that the vice president’s supporters should boycott for being staunch supporters of the son of the late dictator.
Mary Pauline Gorriceta-Banusing also had a Facebook post that went viral. The chef and restaurateur disclosed that two of her restaurants had customers cancelling their reservations over the weekend when they supposedly learned that she was supporting a particular candidate or that her restaurant is catering to supporters . But Banusing said that her restaurants are open to everyone regardless of political colors.
A firestorm ensued online with supporters of both candidates explaining their sides with certain groups reminding supporters that there should be a civil way in public discourses.
“As supporters, we must embody the values that VP Leni have and we must emulate the type of Filipino that this country needs,” Team Leni Robredo Iloilo added.