Junk me in polls if I’m lying about order to stop patrols in disputed seas —Alejano

Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano on Monday dared the public not to vote for him in the May 2019 senatorial elections if he was lying about his claim that Malacanang had ordered the military to stop patrolling the West Philippine Sea.

The West Philippine Sea is the part of the South China Sea over which the Philippines has claims.

Alejano made the remark amid criticisms that his expose was only meant to increase his popularity to gain votes for his senatorial bid.

"I encourage the Filipino people not to vote for me if they believe I'm lying," he told reporters in an interview. "This is not about me. This about the country."

Alejano first disclosed the information at a news forum on Saturday, which he said he got from his sources in the military.

But Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Colonel Edgard Arevalo has already denied in a statement Alejano's claims.

“I do not know where Cong. Alejano got that supposed instruction from the Commander-in-Chief. Malamang kuryenteng balita 'yan if not yet another malicious imputation on the President dragging the AFP in," Arevalo said, adding that there was no such order coming from the President.

Alejano, however, maintained his claim, saying that he would disclose information if he is entirely sure about it.

"Hindi ako nagsasalita nang walang basis at hindi 100 percent sure sa sinasabi ko," he said.

Alejano also said he is less concerned about the effects of his claim on his senatorial bid.

"It doesn't matter. Ano naman ang saysay ng pagkapanalo sa eleksyon pero nagpapanggap ka lang naman sa taumbayan at ina-appease mo sila on something na hindi katotohanan?" he said.

"It doesn't matter because at the end of the day, it's the people who will decide if they believe in me, if they believe in what I'm doing and they will support me. It's not about myself, it's about the country," he added.

Alejano, in accepting Magdalo party's nomination for him to run for senator, said the country's need for independent-minded senators who are willing to forward the interests of the people.

"I believe that the country needs more independent minded members of the Senate to speak for the people, stand up for our democracy, and defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity especially now that most seems to be silent and indifferent to the abuses of the Duterte administration and its apparent subservience to China," he said. —NB, GMA News