LP House bet in Pampanga claims getting threats

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's rival for a House seat in Pampanga's second district on Friday claimed he has been getting letters from unknown sources warning him that his life will be at risk if he accepts support from purported communists.

Adonis Simpao, a local civil society leader in Pampanga, made the revelation at a press conference at the Discovery Suites in Ortigas, Pasig City with three other political rivals of Mrs. Arroyo's allies. Simpao said he received the two letters — one supposedly from Bulacan and one from Nueva Ecija — on Tuesday, two days after he and other local candidates of the Liberal Party were allegedly harassed by supporters of administration gubernatorial bet Lilia Pineda, a known ally of President Arroyo. The letter supposedly from San Jose del Monte in Bulacan warned Simpao not to accept support from the groups Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Kabataan, Katribu, Act, and Akap Bata party-lists as these, according to the letter, are "instruments" of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People's Army. The letter also warned Simpao not to get support from Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza, who are both running for the Senate under the Nacionalista Party. "Consider this as first warning," said the letter, which supposedly came from the "Patriots of Philippine democracy." Backed by Satur Even though Simpao is running under the Liberal Party, Ocampo, a known critic of Mrs. Arroyo, is supporting his congressional bid because they hail from the same province. According to Simpao, Ocampo accompanied him when he filed his certificate of candidacy. The second letter, which supposedly came from Sta. Rosa in Nueva Ecija, said: "We would like to warn you that your alliance with the CPP-NPA and its party-lists for a political ambition will only bring not only dilemma but also a toll in your life." "If you really want to serve the Filipino people you may start turning your back against and rebuke the enemies of democracy, peace and progress," the letter read. "Ignoring this warning means that you are indeed an ally of the CPP-NPA or even as one of them. If this is so, you are considered an enemy of democracy and the rest is up to us." Simpao said he would not be cowed into submission by the threats. "Iniisip siguro nila na tatakutin nila ko, papaatrasin ako dahil sa mga sulat na yan pero ang nagtutulak sa akin para ipagpatuloy 'to ay ang mararangal na Kapampangan at ang krusada ng pagbabago na ipagpatuloy ang paglalaban sa Pampanga," he said. (They must think that they can scare me, that they can make me back out through these letters but I am compelled to continue my candidacy by honorable Kapampangans and the crusade for change, to continue the fight in Pampanga.) 'Entertaining but baseless' While he did not point to the Arroyo camp as the source of the letters, Simpao said this was not impossible. "Pwede. Hindi natin sinasabing sila pero kung titignan natin sila lang naman ang katunggali natin (It's possible. We're not saying it's them but if we look at it, they're our opponents)," he said. But deputy presidential spokesperson Gary Olivar quickly dismissed such insinuations. "Mr. Simpao's speculations are entertaining but baseless." Aside from Simpao, present at the press conference were Mayor Fermin Mabulo of San Fernando, Camarines Sur who is running against President Arroyo's son Dato for a House seat for the 1st district; Quezon City Councilor Jorge "Bolet" Banal Jr. who is running against a known Arroyo ally, Rep. Matt Defensor, to represent the 3rd district in the House; and Jess Lorenzo, who is running against administration stalwart Rep. Rodolfo Antonino for the 4th district of Nueva Ecija. The four, along with Davao City Councilor Mabel Suma Acosta who is seeking a House seat against the son of House Speaker Prospero Nograles, form the so-called "Discovery 5." All are running under the LP. — RSJ, GMANews.TV