President Benigno S. Aquino III with Liberal Party (LP) standard bearers Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo are greeted by supporters outside the Manila Cathedral as they walk to Commission on Election building to file their Certificate of Candidacy, Thursday, (October 15). Tomorrow, Friday, (October 16) is the deadline of filing of candidacy for the 2016 elections. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Administration standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Tuesday defended his wife, broadcaster Korina Sanchez, who has been accused of using the Department of Agriculture (DA) in alleged vote-buying.
In an interview in Davao del Norte, Roxas said Sanchez’s attendance to events of the DA is a “non issue” because she is invited as a guest speaker only.
“Hindi po, wala po siya during the distributions. Inaanyayahan siya na makidalo at magbigay ng mensahe. Kung nagkakataon sa kanilang schedule ay dumadalo siya,” he said.
The camp of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte earlier questioned Sanchez’s presence in a recent DA event held in Tagum City, where the agency distributed around P611 million worth of agriculture funds and equipment.
According to Duterte’s camp, Sanchez also joined DA officials in Kidapawan City in North Cotabato and Mexico town, Pampanga.
“Korina is now an accomplice in a systematic shameless act that conditions the electorate to accept dole-outs in exchange for votes,” said Duterte’s spokesperson, Peter Laviña.
Roxas said Sanchez spends private funds when she attends such events.
“Hindi siya pwedeng magbiyahe at mangampanya para sa kanyang asawa? Ano ang isyu? Na siya’y nangangampanya para sa kanyang asawa?… Misis ko ito. Sinasabi mo ba na ginagamit ng misis ko?” Roxas told a reporter.
“Una, pribado ang kanyang sasakyan. Pribadong pera ang kanyang ginagamit. Inaaanyayahan siya. Ang sinasabi mo ba ay hindi siya pupunta kung saan siya kinukumbida? Hindi ba?” he added. (MNS)