Roxas fends off attacks by ‘villains’ on his comic book

Liberal party presidential candidate Mar Roxas and “Sa Gitna ng Unos” comic book. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II just shrugged off the criticisms hurled at him for supposedly whitewashing his lackluster performance in the aftermath of the super typhoon “Yolanda” in 2013 through the publication of a comic book.

In an interview with reporters at Nakar, Quezon on Tuesday, Roxas said that those who are criticizing him over the release of “Sa Gitna ng Unos,” a comic book which tells his life story, are allies of his political rivals.

“Alam mo yung mga natutuwa, maraming salamat sa mga natutuwa. Sa mga nagrereact ng negative, malamang mga kakampi sila nga aking mga katunggali, siguro nakita nila na epektibo ito kaya nagrereact sila nang negative. Ganyan naman talaga ‘yan,” Roxas said.

READ: Comic book showing ‘hero’ Roxas during ‘Yolanda’ draws flak

He thanked his supporters who made the publication of the comic book possible.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa ating mga supporters sa kanilang paggawa, pagpapaliwanag nitong pangyayari noong kapanahunang ‘yun, nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila,” the administration presidential candidate said.

In the said comic book, Roxas was depicted as a hero who almost lost his life saving the lives of some residents at the height of the storm.

The comic book drew flak from many netizens, including those who survived “Yolanda.”

Even Karl Comendador, the artist of the comic book, was not spared from criticism. However, he clarified that he was just merely doing his job as an illustrator and that in fact, he is not supporting Roxas for president.

READ: Artist who made Roxas comic book is Duterte supporter

Comendador said that he is backing the presidential bid of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

In an earlier statement, Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid spokesperson Ibarra “Barry” Gutierrez III said that as an art form, comics are filled with drama. He also said that Roxas has already owned up to his performance in the aftermath of the storm. JE

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