Vice Gov. Rene Relampagos shared his experience in political persecution as Gov. Arthur Yap is now being targeted by critics following the filing of cases against Yap before the Office of the Ombudsman.
In a statement posted on social media, Relampagos recalled the time that he was subjected to political harassment and persecution by his critics.
He said: “When I was the Governor, I was alleged to have owned a mansion. It was not true but it did not stop these critics from spreading lies against me. They will do the same to Art Yap.”
The issue about Relampagos allegedly owning a mansion in Baclayon was spread by critics back in 2001.
It seems that the voters believed in the false accusation hurled against Relampagos because the latter lost in his re-election bid in 2001 to the late Gov. Erico Aumentado.
After several years, it was proven that Relampagos doesn’t own a mansion in Baclayon and clearly the issue regarding the mansion was used for propaganda to gain political mileage.
Thus, Relampagos can relate to what Yap is going through right now. Relampagos had the same experience of the political persecution.
Relampagos issued his statement as Yap is being charged allegedly for corruption and plunder before the Ombusdman, which the governor thinks is a ploy to harass him.
Accusations and cases being filed by critics come with the territory of being in politics. Critics will try every trick in the book and out of the book to discredit the one who is at the helm of government helm, who is Yap and try to unseat him as the governor of the province.
Relampagos lamented the way politics is being played in Bohol.
He believes that no one can beat the governor in terms of performance and the only way the opposition can win in the next election is through propaganda using false accusations.