I write in response to the article “Palace official escapes ambush, tags Cagayan governor” (Page 1, 5/15/13).
More than 30 witnesses present the following account in their sworn affidavits.
On Election Day, Secretary Manuel Mamba, head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, entered Jurisdiccion Elementary School in Alcala, Cagayan. With him were policemen bearing AK-47 and M16 rifles and civilians holding clutch bags. Secretary Mamba nodded to his civilian companions, after which they walked toward the precinct. One of them barged inside the precinct and shouted at the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI): “Wala kang kwentang chairman, inutil ka! Wala kayong kwentang guro!” The man said he was from the Liberal Party, but he did not produce any ID.
Secretary Mamba and his group also went to the polling places in Baybayog and Calantac, Alcala.
As the secretary’s convoy passed Centro Norte Elementary School, shots were fired. Gov. Alvaro “Bong” Antonio, who was resting in our house one block away, heard the shots and ran toward the highway. By the time he reached the highway, the convoy was gone.
On radio 15 minutes later, Secretary Mamba accused Governor Antonio of setting up an ambush. He unfolded his fantastic story of Governor Antonio attacking his convoy in broad daylight, in the middle of town, almost right in front of Alcala’s police station. Our disgust turned into outrage as this person who destroyed our peace imputed his own acts of violence to Governor Antonio.
During the provincial canvass, Liberal Party gubernatorial candidate William Mamba tried to suspend the proclamation of Governor Antonio because of “acts of terrorism” which included the “ambush” of his brother Secretary Mamba.
It became clear: The Mamba camp must have known that its candidate could not win in a clean contest, so they launched a campaign of filth and violence. Now I understand why they had to say that my father is a drunk, that he wears diapers because he pees in his pants. Now I understand why they had to attack our family and friends as corrupt. Now I understand why they had to call my mom, who is recovering from a heart attack, an “incapacitated frog” on live radio.
The Mamba conspiracy failed. Governor Antonio was proclaimed after garnering 282,647 votes, almost double the votes of Secretary Mamba’s brother William.
My father is not a politician. He does not know the suave language and public relations skills that seem to be the ticket to the corridors of power. Neither does he feel the need to run around showing that his hands are clean. He is a simple man who speaks his truth once and clearly, and it is enough. And he has something that the Mambas have lost a long time ago—the love and respect of the people of Cagayan. On May 13, 2013, out of love and respect, the people of Cagayan spoke for and on behalf of Governor Antonio.
—TIN ANTONIO,
eldest daughter of Gov. Bong Antonio