Cong. Mark: Please stop the veiled threats
COJUANGCO UPDATES
FORMER Fifth District Rep. Mark Cojuangco urged the governor to argue on issues openly, point by point, and let the people decide who has the better idea and better programs for Pangasinan.
Cojuangco made this remark after he commiserated with local newsmen, most of whom were reportedly subjects of Governor Espino’s irate and alleged threatening remarks for their criticisms against him and his administration made in at least three radio stations last Saturday.
Cojuangco, a three-term congressman, said the style of the governor venting his ire with an alleged veiled threat does not only happen to newsmen but also to barangay officials, mayors and other municipal officials.
“Hindi ba ang demokrasya ay paligsahan ng idea? Ipadidinig mo sa tao kung ano ang plano mo, kung ano ang idea mo, kung papapano mo gagawin ang pangako mo at ang tao ang maghuhusga kung sino ang napupusuan nilang mas totoo, at mamimili sila kung sino ang inaakala nilang kayang i-deliver ang sinasabi (You will let the people hear your ideas, how you intend to fulfill your promises and the people will judge who they feel is more realistic, and they will choose who they think can deliver what he says)” Cojuangco said.
Former Fifth District Rep. Mark Cojuangco, in a talk with local newsmen, says as father of the province, Gov. Espino should be careful with his choice of language.
Cojuangco wonders why the governor can’t do it this way. He also asked why it is Espino doing the talks and not his son who is supposed to be his gubernatorial candidate.
“Bakit siya nang siya” (Why is it always him (elder Espino) doing the talking? Why not his son?” he asked.
He said he feels the governor’s alleged threats directed at newsmen critical of him and his administration “is foul”.
To say they must beware (for their criticisms) as his 500,000 to 800, 000 loyal followers (based on votes he garnered) may become uncontrollable and provoked to resort to do harm “is foul”, Cojuangco added.
“Is it a veiled threat? So I’m calling on the governor to maintain peace. We’re only discussing issues, we’re only discussing ideas. There’s no need to get emotional about anything,” Cojuangco said.
He said to claim all the 500,000 people or so as his loyal followers is incredible “because what happens to the help of congressmen and other local leaders who helped him in the campaign so he would be voted in the gubernatorial election.
“That means nothing to him?,” he said.
On air, Espino angrily accused some commentators and reporters of inciting “animosities that could erupt in violence and then put the blame on me and my administration”.
The governor re-echoed one of pro-Espino commentators who said on air in a block time program the following: “Ito yong pinangangambahan ko. Paano kung may mga taong nagmamahal kay Governor Espino at nasasaktan sa ginagawang pagkomentaryo ng mga makapiling announcers. Paano kung biglang makaisip ng masama ang mga ito. Paano kung mataymingan ng mga ito ang mga announcers sa labas? Paano kung makapagisip sila ng di maganda? May mga taong nagmamahal kay Espino na naririnig nila ang ganitong paninira ay darating sa punto na sila’y makapaisip ng di maganda at darating sa punto na may masamang mangyayari sa mga announcer na ito!”
During a talk with concerned newsmen, Cojuangco asked, “Have you ever heard me talking negatively against the governor in public? Never.”
He added that when he goes around in preparation for his gubernatorial plan in 2016, he merely presents his vision and programs and how he intends to implement them. “I don’t destroy him,” he added.
Cojuangco said as father of the province, the governor should be careful with his choice of language.
“It’s unbecoming,” he said.
He said to resort to threats is wrong especially that people, including local newsmen, only express what they feel is correct for Pangasinan.
“Does he want us not to go out anymore from our homes?,” he asked.
“None of us should be cowed into staying home because we are afraid of what he said because that is the primary purpose of the threat. If you allow yourself to succumb to a threat, you made the source win because he was successful in scaring you,” Cojuangco advised newsmen.
He said,” What if something bad happens. He is not a suspect anymore just because he denied it already? He is already creating his disclaimer. That’s wrong.”
He added that resorting to threats “is not being civilized, that is being barbaric”.
Meanwhile, Cojuangco said many of the negative commentaries hurled against him by his media critics are innuendos, not based on facts, fabrication.
“I can account all the funds for government projects spent in my district. Can the governor do the same?,” he said.
He said he is open to debate on issues. “I will face them. I am not afraid,” he added.
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
