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Philippines

QC Mayor Belmonte denies fake congratulatory message

Philippines

QC Mayor Belmonte denies fake congratulatory message

By Joseph Pedrajas

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Wednesday night clarified that a congratulatory poster for Hidilyn Diaz now circulating online, wherein her photo appears larger than the Olympic gold medalist's, did not come from her nor the local government.

Belmonte said the poster was done by "malicious individuals" engaging in "more black propaganda and smear campaigns" against her as election season nears.

A purported congratulatory message uploaded on a Facebook page, wherein Belmonte's photo appears larger than Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz (Nagmahal.Nasaktan.NagSelfie FB page)

"While it is true that I join the rest of the country in celebrating the historic Olympic gold medal win of Hidilyn Diaz, it is absolutely untrue that the fake 'congratulatory message' using my picture (and now circulating online) came from me, or anyone from the Quezon City government," Belmonte said in a statement.

The mayor also asked those who are putting her in bad light "not to drag Diaz" in their lies.

"Nagkaisa ang buong bansa dahil sa karangalang ibinigay niya sa bawat Pilipino, ngunit ginamit ninyo ito para sa masamang pamumulitika. 'Foul' po ang tawag diyan (The country has become united in the victory she has brought us, but you've used it for politicking. That's foul)," she said.

"In the meantime, let us all continue to unite behind the spirit and ideals that Hidilyn exemplified, as she symbolically lifted an entire country last July 26: diligence, determination, patriotism, and the will and passion to achieve her dreamsâ€‹," she added.â€‹

Related Tags

Hidilyn Diaz Quezon City message joy belmonte

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