Illustrator of Roxas comic book says he's for Duterte

Amid criticism over his work on a comic book featuring administration bet Mar Roxas, veteran comic book illustrator Karl Comendador said he was merely doing his job.

He added that he actually supports another candidate for the presidency: Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Comendador said that it was far from the first time he illustrated a comic book featuring politicians.

"Marami po akong naidrowing na komiks pampulitika noon at ngayon. Trabaho lang po, sana'y inyong maunawaan. Maraming salamat po. DUTERTE PO ANG PRESIDENTE KO!" he wrote.

Last February, Comendador first shared the cover for the comic book, which drew varied reactions online over its dramatized depiction of Roxas' role during the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda in 2013. Even then, the artist said he was merely doing his job.

But even before he shared the Roxas cover, Comendador had also posted comic book panels featuring his illustrations of Duterte. He also revealed that he had supported President Benigno Aquino III in the 2010 polls.

“Pwede na siguro ito... Ha, Mayor? Si Pnoy ginawan namin ng komiks, nanalo... Pero binigo niya kami. Sana ikaw mayor pag nanalo ka, huwag mo kaming biguin,” he wrote on December 16, 2015.

The Roxas comic book had drawn flak online, including from a post by Tacloban-based writer Lottie Salarda who said the administration standard bearer did not know Yolanda will hit as early as 5 a.m.

"I was there. Many survivors were there also. I was even present during the press conference where he said that there will be a meeting at 8:00am on November 8.

"Meaning, he NEVER knew that the storm will hit as early as 5am. Tapos ngayon HERO siya? Wala siyang alam. It will be between his story and our stories. To all Roxas supporters, I'm sorry but your Presidential candidate is insane," she said.

The camp of Roxas had defended the comic book, saying it was created by supporters to set the record straight about his role in government efforts during the deluge.

"Ang comics ay gawa ng mga supporters na gustong ipaalam sa ating mga kababayan ang ginawa ni Mar sa Yolanda. Ginawa ito dahil sa patuloy na pagkalat ng kasinungalingan tungkol sa kanyang mga nagawa," said Akbayan party-list Rep. Barry Gutierrez, the spokesman for the Roxas' Liberal Party-led coalition, in a statement.

While the comic book's dramatization of Roxas' actions was only “natural,” Gutierrez said the LP stands by what he did when the supertyphoon struck.

"Bilang comics, natural na may dramatisasyon ito. Matagal nang nailahad ang katotohanan tungkol sa mga nagawa ni Mar sa Yolanda. Malinaw ang record niya dito, at pinaninindigan namin ito," Gutierrez added. —Trisha Macas/JST/KG, GMA News