MANILA, Philippines—“Has politics gone down the toilet?” Muntinlupa Representative Rufino Biazon, thinks it has, and in a literal sense.

Biazon was reacting to a statement by a Palace spokesman that the plan of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to paint the public urinals green could have an “unintended but positive consequence” on the candidacy of administration standard-bearer Gilbert Teodoro who carries the green hue for his presidential campaign.

“I think it is sad to note that politics has (gone down) to the toilets in the Philippines,” said Biazon, who is seeking a senatorial seat under the Liberal Party (LP).

He said that “using the urinals as a political tool reveal that the administration will not hesitate to use government resources for political gimmicks.”

The MMDA, under its new chairman Oscar Inocentes, is undertaking a project to spruce up the metropolis with ornamental plants and urinals painted in green.

“Well, if that is the unintended but positive consequence of the decision being made, then we should probably be appreciative of that consequence happening,” Palace deputy spokesman Gary Olivar said when earlier asked about its impact on Teodoro’s bid.

Teodoro has been lagging behind the presidential surveys.

The male urinals, which were painted in pink was started by Inocentes’ predecessor, Bayani Fernando, who is now running for vice president.

Biazon said he was not in favor of installing male urinals all over Metro Manila and was opposed even more to the plan to have additional urinals, this time for women.

He said the MMDA should instead construct public restrooms at strategic locations.