“STRONG as a bull.”

This was how Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez described the health condition of Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. in reaction to a text message circulated by a still unidentified group last week saying the mayor was hospitalized and died.

Mayor Fernandez went on leave December 7-9 for a scheduled executive checkup at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Metro Manila.

The statement of Vice Mayor Fernandez was corroborated by Councilor Jesus Canto who previously served as director of the Region I Medical Center.

Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, the mayor’s running-mate in the coming election, quickly denied the “disinformation” during the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters sa Pilipinas (KBP) Forum on Thursday.

Hinting that it was the handiwork of the dirty tricks department of a politician she did not name, the vice mayor called on the people not to fall for such tactics.

The vice mayor noted how a similar propaganda was used in the 2007 campaign.

“The city mayor is strong as a bull and very fit to vie for a second straight term of office,” said Canto, who accompanied Vice Mayor Fernandez at the forum.

Vice Mayor Fernandez pointed out how the mayor has been working very hard, even opening satellite offices at the city museum and his home to accommodate everyone.

“Note how past mayors could not be approached by people just anywhere. But in the case of Mayor Fernandez, he doesn’t mind if people see him at his house at any time of the day and night,” she said.

“I think a whole day work over two and a half year period could be stressful but Mayor Fernandez accomplished it pretty well,” she added.—LM

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