Braganza: No politics in gun recall

MANILA, Philippines - Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Branganza says no politics is involved in the recall of shotguns issued to local chief executives.

Denying allegations of Gov. Amado Espino Jr., Braganza said the call to turn over the pump shotguns from 1,300 barangay chairmen was not politically motivated. “I wish to inform the good governor that I am not favoring any (gubernatorial) candidate,” he clarified, pointing out that he was not influenced by political reasons. He was reacting to a statement of Espino who accused him of trying to promote the bid of his predecessor – Rep. Victor Agbayani – at the expense of the governor.

“I do not endorse anyone. It just so happened that Agbayani and I have common advocacies and visions,” he said. He urged Espino to focus and talk on the issue of gun recall, and not on politics and personalities.

Braganza earned the wrath of Espino over his statement posted in the municipal’s website stating he and his city mates commended the efforts of the provincial police director Senior Superintendent Percival Barba to order the confiscation of provincial government-issued shotguns to 1,300 barangay captains in 2008.

Espino alleged Braganza was using the shotgun issue to promote Agbayani in his gubernatorial bid against him.