BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan called on local residents not to easily be persuaded on the massive disinformation being circulated by his critics and political rivals regarding his health condition and the reason why he was out of the country for three weeks, saying that much that he would like to disregard such reports, it is now becoming worst as if they are health experts or judges in their own right.
The local chief executive belied reports circulating in the city over the past several weeks that he went abroad to have his suspected cancer checked, citing that he went to the United States to attend to a very important famly occasion, no more, no less.
“Let us pray for those who continue to mislead the people just to advance their own personal and political interests so that their minds will be enlightened on the truth. Let us not be hoodwinked by those who pretend to serve us but they do not adhere to the policy of fair play in their campaign. They want to appear clean at the expense of their rivals through the usual smear campaign,” Domogan stressed.
He also denounced separate reports being circulated by his critics that he was out of the country considering that he was suspended due to the proliferation of gambling in the different parts of the city.
According to him, his medical records at the St. Luke’s Medical Center is open to the public for scrutiny and in fact, some of his critics already went to verify his health condition and they found out that he was not suffering from any serious illness.
He expressed disappointment why is his health condition being questioned only during the election period, citing that it is just part of the desperate move of his critics to attack him at his back because they cannot face the issues against them directly before the bar of public opinion.
With regards his being suspended because of the issue on gambling, Domogan explained the recent Ombudsman decision dismissing the charges filed against him for his failure to act on the proliferation of illegal gambling activities at Kayang Hilltop is very clear that something is being done against gambling and the law enforcers could attest to the numerous written and verbal orders directed to them to cause the stoppage of illegal gambling operations in the city.
Domogan appealed to the people of Baguio to be wise in judging the evil motive of those circulating the false reports against him, saying that they are the ones who know their local officials and their performance in government that is why it is up to them to judge on who will best serve the city and not though mere gossip and petty sidewalk talk.
By Dexter A. See