Cavite Provincial Board Member Kerby Salazar denied on Monday the accusations that participants of Vice President Leni Robredo's campaign rally in Cavite were paid to attend.
"Wala. I categorically deny. Wala pong naganap na bayaran sa grand rally sa Cavite noong March 4," Salazar, who was the organizer of the event, told DZRH on Monday.
(Wala I categorically deny. No payment was made for the grand rally in Cavite on March 4.)
The statement came after Cavite 7th District Rep. Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla alleged on Saturday that Robredo's campaign attendees were paid P500 each.
Salazar, however, said that it would mean spending P23 million to pay for all those who attended the grand rally.
"Wala po akong … wala po kaming ganung pera," he said, adding the participants were also taken there by other volunteers who offered to drive them to the venue.
(I do not have … we do not have that much money.)
According to Salazar, he was hurt by Remulla's accusations because he knew the solon personally and was a father figure to him.
"I have so much respect for Congressman Boying," he said. "Siguro 'yun 'yung naging mas masakit doon, kasi kilala ko siyang personal, para ko na siyang tatay."
(I have so much respect for Congressman Boying. I guess that’s what made it hurt because I know him personally and he is like a father to me.)
"He could have asked me naman, alam naman siguro niya na ako 'yung organizer nung event. Pero 'yung respeto nandun pa rin, lalo na lang siguro tayong magsisipag," he added.
(He could have asked me, I think he knew that I was the organizer of the event. But the respect is still there, I guess we’ll just have to work harder.)
Salazar said there were an estimated 47,000 headcount at the grand rally by about 7:30PM, which increased to up to 55,000 if the people on the driveway and the spillover to the roads were counted.
Previously, the Robredo People's Council - Cavite issued a statement condemning the accusations that the participants were paid, stressing that attendance there was purely out of "volunteerism."
"Ang pakikilahok sa rally ay bunga ng nag-uumapaw na paghahangad ng mga Caviteño para sa pagbabago," the council said.
(Participation in the rally is out of the outpouring desire of Caviteños for change.)
It added that the accusations from Remulla steps on the dignity of Caviteños and undermine their capability to choose a new leader in the next six years.
