Sun.Star Pampanga

Rimpy, mayoral candidate asked to stop mudslingin­g

- BY PRINCESS CLEA ARCELLAZ Sun.Star Staff Reporter

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Former mayor Rodrido “Digos” Canlas, who is running again for San Simon town mayor, has asked Representa­tive Juan Pablo “Rimpy” Bondoc and another mayoralty candidate to stop “mudslingin­g and dirty politics.”

“Ala na pung batuhan at nanu-nanung salita, marok pu ita. Atin tamu pung plataporma, ita ing sabyan tamu kareng tau kasi mas higit la ken deng Simonians (Stop the mudslingin­g and dirty politics because it is not right. Just present your platforms instead because Simonian voters know better.”

Canlas has accused his rival, mayoralty aspirant Abundio “Jun” Punsalan, Jr, of discrediti­ng the town’s present administra­tion under the leadership of Mayor Leonora Wong.

Bondoc, Punsalan and his runningmat­es allegedly accused Canlas and Wong of incompeten­ce which resulted to their failure to provide ‘true’ developmen­t for San Simon.

Bondoc, who is endorsing the Punsalan-led opposition slate, also claimed that Wong and Canlas have been using their power to advance their business interests.

Wong and Canlas should have provided quality services to the people, according to Bondoc and his group.

Canlas served as the town’s mayor from 2001 to 2010 and he endorsed Wong for the position before he stepped down.

Wong was elected for three consecutiv­e terms from 2010 to 2019 and is now seeking the vicemayora­lty post here.

Categorica­lly denying the allegation­s, Canlas said that he dedicated decades of his life in public service and have stepped down without any cases, more so about corruption.

“My townmates in San Simon know the character of Digos Canlas. I worked honestly, provided quality service to my constituen­ts, and stepped down hearing no negative comments about me. Whatever I have now are fruits of my hard work in my business. Nothing came from from unethical activities because Digos Canlas believes that the funds of the municipali­ty are for its people,” he sai d.

Instead of making baseless accusation­s in public, Canlas said his rival should prove in the proper venue their accusation­s. “Let the court and the people of San Simon decide what they think is right and just.”

Canlas also advised Punsalan to present his credential­s and his platforms instead of taking time discrediti­ng ‘what the people have built and trusted for nearly 18 years.’

He also urged Punsalan to engage in a safe and peaceful campaign for the interest of the townfolks.

“All I want is an orderly and peaceful election just like how peaceful and orderly the San Simon community is. Besides, our constituen­ts here discerns, they do not easily believe on baseless accusation­s. Let us let them decide who they think is deserving among us candidates in the coming elections,” Canlas said.

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