DAVAO CITY — Black propaganda and character
assassination are very common during elections, and
Senatorial Candidate Cesar Montano had just become a
target.
In his campaign in Davao City, Montano affirmed his
commitment to run for a seat in the Senate, amidst
rumors of him backing out. I am sorry to disappoint
my detractors. I am not withdrawing in the senate
race, Montano lashed out on the gossip-makers.
Groups opposed to my running and winning a slot in the
Philippine Senate are threatened by my candidacy. By
spreading rumors, they hope to shave my votes even
before voting starts. This demolition job, part of
dirty tricks by sinister forces still unknown to me,
will never succeed, he added.
He called for sobriety and a stop to all forms of
violence prevalent in the elections. He emphasized
the physical violence in the political arena wherein
candidates and their supporters are harassed,
intimidated or gunned down. Even media persons, whom
Montano regard as colleagues and comrades, have fallen
victims to dastardly acts by politicians. Rather than
hurting one another, he suggested that politicians
instead divert their attention to the problems that we
face.
He called on other instigators of violence to think of
the harmful effects of their actions on the country.
The poor becomes poorer as commerce, industry and
investment comes to a halt because the citizens are
terrorized, investors are afraid and local and
international tourists think twice. Progress comes to
a halt.
He called for firmness, impartiality and vigilance not
only in the part of the police and government
authority, but in the citizenry as a whole, to ensure
safe and peaceful elections.
Lastly, Montano stressed his sheer desire to help the
Filipino people, then presented his Ten-Point Agenda-
Culture, Educations, Social Justice, Agriculture,
Rights, Children, Environment, Social Services,
Agrarian Reform and Rural Infrastructure or C.E.S.A.R.
C.E.S.A.R.. These, he said will be the means through
which he can translate his desire into concrete
actions.
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2007 Elections
