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Presidential spokesman blows top over poll fraud question


After refusing to answer a question on a new accusation of cheating in the May 10 polls, Malacañang’s chief spokesman lashed out at media Saturday, saying that the question should be thrown to the one making the allegation. Presidential spokesman Ricardo Saludo told media to throw back to Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr. his claim that the Palace was behind a so-called whistleblower on poll fraud. “Why are you asking me that, he was the one who said it? Bakit hindi siya patanungin nang maayos (Why are you asking me that, when it was Locsin who said it? Why not ask him)?" Saludo said in a raised voice when interviewed on government-run dzRB radio. Locsin on Friday claimed a Malacañang “insider" was behind the so-called poll fraud whistleblower, who has been dubbed “Koala Boy" in the media. The koala-masked man claimed massive fraud occurred during the May 10 polls. For his part, deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar on Friday called Locsin’s claim “unsubstantiated and illogical." But Saludo, when asked Saturday about what Locsin’s motives could be, blew his top. “Well don’t ask us, ask Congressman Locsin," he said. He said he would not answer the question because it would be dignifying a baseless claim. “Your editors should tell whoever did that reporting they should ask Congressman Locsin," he added. Saludo even said media should throw back questions at the accuser, saying the media would have asked Malacañang for proof if it made accusations against anyone. “Why cant your reporters covering Congress do the same thing?" he said. Saludo eventually apologized to the anchors after the interview. “Pasensya nagkainitan ang usapan natin (I am sorry the discussion became heated)," he said. But at least one reporter covering the Palace beat twitted Saludo for his outburst, saying it gave a bad example. “Pag ganyan ang sagot ninyo medyo naiilang kami. Pinagmalaki ninyo kayo journalist, saan mundo kayo nanggaling, sana ang tanong sagutin ninyo. Kung di masagot huwag ninyo sagutin, huwag ninyo ituro kung saan lang (If you answer questions like that we feel uncomfortable. You called yourself a journalist but please answer the question. If you don’t want to, then don’t answer it, but don’t lecture us like that)," said Leo Palo III, a reporter for dzME radio covering the Palace beat. “Nakakaloko sa part naming kami sinisisi ninyo kung ano lumalabas sa dyaryo sa TV at radio. Medyo siguro kumbaga sa diesel i-calibrate ninyo ang sasabihin ninyo (We do not like being blamed by you for everything that comes out in the papers, television and radio. If you can be like a diesel engine, at least calibrate what you say before saying it)," he added. Saludo was recycled as deputy presidential spokesman and eventually presidential spokesman earlier this year, after the death of Press Secretary Cerge Remonde last January. He was brought back to the Palace after the Commission on Appointments rejected his appointment as Civil Service Commission chairman. — LBG, GMANews.TV

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