Iloilo Business Club (IBC) executive director Lea Lara appealed to respect each other’s choices of government leaders.
“Let us spare the businesses from cruel acts that will affect jobs and livelihood,” said Lara.
“Iloilo is working towards economic recovery so let us not allow the cancel culture to get in the way of this collective effort,” she added.
Lara made the appeal amid calls for a boycott of restaurants and other business establishments supporting the presidential candidacy of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Earlier, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas denounced the said move.
“As one of the supporters of [Vice President Leni Robredo] for president, there is no list of establishments that are supposed to be boycotted because they are supporting Bongbong Marcos,” Treñas said in a statement.
The mayor stressed that Iloilo City “has always been a place of inclusivity not only for different political orientations, sexual preferences or even food preferences.”
“Anyone should be able to do business in Iloilo City no matter who you support in the presidential or local elections,” he added.
According to Treñas, beliefs on who the next president should be can be espoused in a gentler manner.
“Iloilo city is a place where you can openly espouse who your president is without any political retaliation from the community, unless you become overly obnoxious and undesirable; if you do, do not expect people to love you in return. VP Leni has nothing to do with your relationship in the community,” he said.IMT
