BINAY AD IS 'DECEPTION AT ITS PUREST FORM' - ROXAS

With only four days before the May 10 vice presidential race, opponents of Liberal Party vice-presidential candidate and survey leader Senator Mar Roxas have become so desperate and have now stooped down to public deception to smear the Liberal leader's image and good track record.

Roxas lashed at rival Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay for gross deception, misrepresentation and manipulation of public sentiment by using in his latest campaign advertisement a doctored photo of Roxas and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the signing of the senator's pet measure, the Cheaper Medicines law, almost 2 years ago.

In the Binay ad, which started airing on television Wednesday night, an unnamed supporter compared the city mayor with another vice presidential candidate, allegedly an administration ally who pushed for the expanded value added tax (EVAT) law. As the audio played on the background, a video was displayed showing Roxas lauding President Arroyo while signing a document, with the phrase 'Kakampi sa EVAT' printed over the president's head.

Roxas said the video was clearly altered to fit the advertisement's message. "This is deception at its purest form. The picture used was when GMA finally signed the Cheaper Medicines law, it says so in the background, but this was deliberately blurred," he said. "I am nobody's 'palakpak boy' as Binay insinuates. This is obviously a desperate attempt to try to catch up with my lead. The people are not for negative campaigning, especially of the malicious kind," he added. He acknowledged the original video would indeed show him clapping while Mrs. Arroyo signed the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicine Act on June 6, 2008.

"But of course I was clapping during the signing because finally, after 18 years, my dream of making medicines cheaper and more accessible to the people has been realized. Who would not clap in that situation?" he asked.

Aside from Roxas, also in the original video/picture were Senators Pia Cayetano, Edgardo Angara and Bong Revilla, members of the House of Representatives and Cabinet members led by Health Secretary Francisco Duque and Trade Secretary Peter Favila.

"They have become so desperate, especially now that my victory is imminent following the endorsements of numerous groups and individuals. Clearly, the road to victory is never really easy, it is full of stumbling blocks laid by desperate losers," Roxas said.