The camp of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Friday denied allegations that his campaign was being financed by mining firms.
鈥淔or the record, our media operations are not receiving funds from one Manny Zamora and one Dennis Uy or their reported mining firms,鈥� Duterte鈥檚 spokesperson Peter Tiu Lavi帽a said in a statement.
Lavi帽a issued the statement after Liberal Party stalwart Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice accused Duterte that his campaign was being financed by mining magnates. Erice challenged the tough-talking mayor to disclose his link to Zamora and Uy.
鈥淚t is totally unfair that our winning efforts are being or will be attributed to others,鈥� Lavi帽a said.
In his previous speeches, Duterte repeatedly said he would not receive money or any contribution from people with vested interest in government.
Lavi帽a also denied reports that the Duterte camp had a public relations group to take care of his campaign.
Erice said reports reaching the LP revealed that Zamora, founder of mining firm Nickel Asia Corp., had been helping Duterte with his media campaign.
鈥淭here is no truth as well that we have any public relations operations,鈥� Lavi帽a said.
He said their 鈥渕edia operations banked solely on a well-planned and well-executed media liaison work based in a small office in Davao City.鈥�
鈥淲e relied on the capacity, generosity and creativity of our team, volunteers and supporters both in the mass media (fourth estate) as well as social media (fifth estate),鈥� he said.
Lavi帽a also denied LP accusations that Lito Banayo, known to be close to Zamora, was part of their media group.
鈥淔or the record, Lito Banayo is not a member of our media group. In fact, it is public knowledge that we asked him to take a leave as volunteer last year when Duterte was not yet even a declared or registered candidate,鈥� he said.
He said the success of their media operations was because of Duterte and his excellent leadership.
鈥淚f our media operations are succeeding, it is because of our excellent leader in Duterte and hard work, and also because of the string of blunders by the LP. They, actually, have been providing ink for our mighty pen. Hence, in a sense, they have been supporting our media operations,鈥� he said.
鈥淚n calling for transparency, our unsolicited advice to those with 鈥榣ying patterns鈥� (LP) is to look themselves in the mirror,鈥� he added. RC