Villar to Gordon: Prove your claim, name names

Surigao del Norte -- Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Manny Villar challenged yesterday Bagumbayan Party presidential bet Richard Gordon to prove his allegation that an emissary from Villar's camp offered to buy him out of the presidential race.

"Wala akong pinapaatras at handa naman akong harapin kahit sino sa isang patas na labanan," said Villar when asked by reporters to react on Gordon's claim.

Gordon claimed on Tuesday that Villar sent an emissary and offered to reimburse his expenses in the campaign in exchange for his backing out of the race or for "whatever Cabinet position."

Villar also challenged Gordon to reveal the identity of the "common friend" that he allegedly sent as an emissary.

"Pinapaalalahanan ko ang publiko at ang aking mga taga-suporta na huwag maniwala sa lahat ng sinasabi nga aking mga kalaban sa pulitika. Marami talaga ang naninira ng kapwa kandidato sa kanilang kampanya. Binabalaan ko rin sila na mag-ingat sa pagpupukol ng kung ano-anong alegasyon," added Villar.

Meanwhile, NP senatorial bet and spokesperson Gilbert Remulla in a separate radio interview said yesterday: "Napakaliit ng numero ni Gordon sa survey at di naman mapupunta yun kay Senator Villar kaya imposible ang sinasabi ni Gordon [Senator Gordon is not a top contender in the presidential race to begin with. His numbers are not that significant, so what he is saying is impossible]."

Meanwhile, the NP Secretariat said no offer was made and no emissary was sent to talk to Gordon.

"No feeler was even conveyed by text, email, Facebook or sign language. This is not to belittle his standing, but even a campaign manager of a candidate for councilor will tell you that there is no incentive in offering an alliance to a candidate whose survey rating is always preceded by a decimal point," the NP said in a statement.

The NP added: "Senator Gordon roars like a lion and would make an attractive cheerleader in any campaign he would retreat to but Team Villar is not interested in his services."

Remulla likewise said, "Why didn't Dick Gordon blame Villar for the earthquake in Chile as well?"

"It's getting ridiculous and preposterous all these allegations. We don't care what Gordon says, he can say anything he wants, whatever he says wouldn't matter because none of it would be true," Remulla added.