“MALICIOUS“

GOVERNOR Amado Espino III vehemently denied that he spent P92.5 million for the placement of radio advertisements.

Espino on Dec. 1 issued his statement through the Province of Pangasinan Official Facebook page and labeled the report posted online as “malicious”.

“It is obvious that the story is politically motivated, intended to besmirch my reputation as a leader of my province in my bid to run for re-election as governor in the coming elections,” the governor said.

In an interview over Aksyon Radyo Pangasinan, Provincial Information Officer chief Orpheus Velasco described the article as “grossly false, malicious and utterly baseless. ”

Velasco admitted that there were some advocacy campaigns of the provincial government, however, Velasco said those were infomercials about the public health standards to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In fact, he said it was not Governor Espino but Provincial Health Office chief Dr. Anna Ma. Teresa de Guzman who spoke on health issues and updates on the COVID-19 pandemic in the province.

Velasco also added there were instances when some stations adopted news materials of the Capitol News TV that contain speeches of the provincial chief executive and other officials of the provincial government, talking about the economic recovery of the province, and the provincial government did not pay for the airing of the news.

He said even the amount cited was incredible because even if all public affairs programs of all stations are billed, the amount cant possible reach P92.5-M in 9 months.

He stressed the provincial government spent only P4.8 million for placement of radio spots, including television ads and print and other materials for advocacy campaigns.

Aside from Espino, the report listed Mangatarem Mayor Ramil Ventenilla and San Carlos City Mayor Julier Resuello to have spent P60.7 million and P9.7 million, respectively for their radio advertisements.

Meanwhile, San Carlos City Mayor also belied the same news story that identified him and branded it as politically motivated specifically targeted at the governor and his allies.

While Resuello admitted placing some radio ads in local radio stations used as reminders for health protocols and vaccination, and the amount was overly exaggerated.

Mayor Ventanilla of Mangatarem has yet to issue his statement on the matter. (Leonardo Micua/Jerick Pasiliao)