Former representative and Bayan Muna Chairman Neri Colmenares. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — After Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) leader Sara Duterte-Carpio said that “everybody lies,” senatorial candidate Neri Colmenares dared HNP candidates to air their position regarding issues on honesty.
“Ang tanong ngayon ay sang-ayon ba ang mga kandidato ng Hugpong sa sinabi ng kanilang campaign manager?” Colmenares said in a statement on Saturday.
“Sana ay lumabas sila at isapubliko ang kanilang pananaw dahil kung hindi ay mukhang sang-ayon sila at mukhang mahirap din silang paniwalaan dahil lolokohin lang nila ang mga botante,” he added.
On Wednesday, Duterte-Carpio said that everyone lies amid accusations of opposition senatorial bets that HNP candidates are telling lies.
READ: As poll bets trade barbs, Sara Duterte says ‘Everybody lies’
Colmenares also disagrees with the statement of the presidential daughter that honesty is a non-issue during elections.
According to him, candidates who are not honest should not gain the public trust.
“Mahalagang isyu sa eleksyon ang katapatan dahil paano makatitiyak ang mga botante na totoo ang sinasabi ng mga tumatakbo o tutuparin nila ang kanilang mga pangako kung di sila mga tapat na tao,” Colmenares said.
“Ang kandidatong sinungaling ay hindi dapat pagkatiwalaan. Masyado ba itong mahirap intindihin ni Mayor Sara? Wala tayong karapatang humingi ng tiwala ng taumbayan kung tayo mismo ay hindi nila mapagkatiwalaan,” he added.
Meanwhile, Vice President Leni Robredo said that honesty is a “huge factor” in determining one’s integrity.
But Duterte-Carpio said that Robredo has no right to speak about honesty and integrity claiming the Vice President has been put into question by the public for the 2016 elections.
READ: Inday Sara retaliates; blasts VP Leni on honesty issue
The Liberal Party then retaliate and said that Duterte-Carpio is biased when commenting about honesty.
“Kapag kakampi nila hindi issue ang honesty pero kapag si VP Leni at hindi nila kaalyado ay issue na ito? Tama ba yun?”
READ: LP hits Inday Sara over bias comments about honesty
Malacañang, on the other hand, distanced itself from the issue but said that Duterte-Carpio is entitled to have her own opinion. /jpv
READ: ‘Honesty’ non-issue in polls? Palace: No stand, but Sara has right to own view