BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
EB Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon yesterday laughed off claims on allegations that he almost figured in a near fist fight with House Minority Leader Stephen Paduano over the position as campaign manager of former Representative turned Bacolod City mayoralty aspirant Alfredo “Albee” Benitez.
Dismissing it as a “big joke,” Malacon said that it will never happen, stressing that Paduano is his congressman, a fellow Saraviahanon, and a relative whom he also described as an “elder brother” to him.
Unopposed in the May 9 elections, he also clarified that contrary to claims, he did not replace Paduano as the campaign manager of Benitez, stressing that he is not a resident of Bacolod City.
Benitez also strongly denied such allegations. “I am not aware of such report, and it never happened,” he stressed.
He also dismissed the allegations as “very unlikely” to happen.
Just like any other Negros Occidental mayors who signed a manifesto expressing their full support to his mayoralty bid in Bacolod City, Benitez said the role of Mayor Marvin is to help and support him.
But he confirmed that they replaced their tarpaulins which have the pictures of Paduano, following the start of the campaign period for national elective positions on February 8.
Since Abang Lingkod partylist group is a national position, Benitez said that Paduano can no longer be included in the oversized tarpaulins, adding that he should have to follow the Comelec guidelines.
But he explained that the pictures of Paduano, who is seeking for a reelection as Abang Lingkod partylist representative, were removed from their tarpaulins and campaign materials since the campaign period for national candidates started Feb. 8.*
