A Nacionalista Party (NP) member withdrew his candidacy for councilor of Barotac Nuevo in the province of Iloilo after he was “required” to publicly declare his support for presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“After family consultation, madalom nga pag-paminsar, kag prayers, nag-decide ako na indi na magpadalagan maskin independent candidate, kag amon nahibaluan nga madamo ang nagasuporta kag nagapati sang amon sinseridad sa public service, said Jesus “Jess” Dimafiles said in a recorded video posted on his Facebook page on Friday, March 4.
Dimafiles, a three-term former Sangguniang Bayan (SP) member, was eyeing a comeback under NP, which is endorsing Marcos.
But he said he was removed from the slate of the political party headed by Dr. Ferj Biron, campaign manager for the UniTeam in the province.
“Gin-require ako sang aton political leadership nga mag-declare sang public support [for Marcos]. Kay ako kag ang akon pamilya, kilala nga supporters ni [presidential candidate Leni Robredo],” said.
As compliance, he posted on his Facebook account the support for Marcos and “many were surprised, confused, and disappointed.”
“Masakit ato sa akon huna-huna kag tagipusuon, kag pila ka adlaw nga wala ko makatulog.”
Dimafiles deleted the post as he could not afford to endorse Marcos, son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
“Halin pang sang estudyante alo sang University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), akon na-intiendihan ang sitwasyon sang Pilipinas sang tion sang Martial Law. Ang korapsyon, pang-abuso kag ang pangpamigos,” he said.
“Dugang pa, ang akon amay nangin kaupod sa kawsa kag sa core group ni former Anitque governor Evelio Javier sa pagpakigbato sa Marcos administration sa tiempo sang snap election. In fact ara gid sya as Antique sat ion nga gin-assassinate si Javier.”
Dimafiles said that he and his family would focus instead on campaigning for Robredo.
“Today, I can proudly and openly declare, Kulay Rosas ang Bukas, kag Laban Leni!”IMT
