Man nabbed in Marikina for fake news vs Teodoro

MANILA, Philippines — Police arrested a man who was caught distributing fraudulent tabloids with banner stories that suspended Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro had been disqualified by the Commission on Elections.

The suspect, whom police did not identify, was apprehended while distributing fake tabloids in Barangay Barangka at around 2 a.m.

Police said the tabloids carried stories that Teodoro had been disqualified from running as representative of Marikina’s first district.

The suspect said he and other people were asked to distribute the newspapers by a person who promised to pay them P1,500 each.

He and his cohorts met in front of the Marikina Valley Hospital before they were herded into a white van.

They started giving out the tabloids to residents in front of a fast-food restaurant.

The suspect apologized to Teodoro.

“Nagawa ko lang po ito kapalit ng pinangakong suweldo,” he said.

Teodoro tagged Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo and Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III as the ones allegedly behind the black progaganda against him to distract voters.

Teodoro is pitted against Pimentel for congressman of Marikina’s first district.

Pimentel cast his vote at the Leodegario Victorino Elementary School.

Speaking to reporters, Pimentel said he was satisfied with the turnout of voters in Marikina.

“I am happy for our democracy, our right to vote,” the outgoing senator said.

Pimentel shunned questions about his plans for Marikina should he emerge victorious.

“No comment na muna ako sa pulitika,” he said.

Quimbo denies black prop vs Teodoros

Quimbo denied that her camp was behind the proliferation of tabloids spreading fake news against the Teodoros.

Quimbo is running for mayor against Teodoro’s wife, Marikina 1st District Rep. Marjorie Ann Teodoro.

If she is elected mayor, Quimbo vowed to address the city’s perennial problem on flooding and job creation.