Bet says cousin used against him

CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City mayoralty candidate Rolando "Lando" Patalinjug of Team Kusgano claimed that the Deretso Team of incumbent Mayor Paz Radaza is using his cousin, incumbent City Councilor Eduardo "Boy" Patalinjug, against him.

Rolando said he felt pity that Eduardo, his closest cousin within the Patalinjug family, is forced to do comedic acts and say bad things about him, in order to continue his ties with the administration party.

"Di niya gusto isulti, mosulti nalang siya’g bati against nako para lang gyud tawn nga siya magpabilin sa iyahang grupo kana gud silang Paz, ang ilahang councilor himoon man gud nilang kingkoy tawon. Maski di mosulti, pasultihon, himoan og script," Rolando said.

In the previous mini rallies within the city, Eduardo urged the public not to vote for his cousin Rolando and vote for Radaza instead because of her efforts and contributions to the city.

"Tuguti ko nga makahisgut ani sa atong kaatbang. Ako gikuha ko nila nga isip kuno nga guest candidate pero sa tinuoray lang wala gyud tawon ko nagtugot ana. Ngano man nga magtapon pa man ko og laing grupo nga sa duha ka termino nako ang grupo sa Deretso maoy nagtabang nako, maoy nagpadaog nako... Muhangyo sab kaninyo ng ayaw ninyo butari kana akong ig-agaw nga is Lando Patalinjug naa na tay mayor, nga nag-atubang, nag-agak kaninyo," Patalinjug said during a rally in Olango Island last April 15.

Rolando, on the other hand, admitted that he invited his cousin as a guest candidate of their party but declined the offer.

As to his cousin's praises for Radaza, Rolando said the mayor was not able to make any improvements in the city, claiming that the city's public market remains dirty and its structure was not renovated or fixed and while the budget for the expansion of the city hospital has yet to be released.

"Mao bitaw na ang mga tawo sa Lapu-Lapu, gusto nang ilisdan ang mga Radaza kay wala man silay nahimo. Kung napay nahimo nga efforts ang mga Radaza, kami  (Team Kusgano), ako di gyud ko mag-apil-apil sa politika," Rolando said.

Rolando said that though he and Eduardo are in different parties, he remains civil to his cousin.

"Kanang politika, lumalabay ra  na kaming mga Patalinjug, wala man gyud mi mag-away. Pero kana akong ig-agaw ilahang gigamit," he said. — (FREEMAN)