Mar denies having hand in rumor Duterte has cancer

Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas on Saturday denied the allegation he was behind the rumor that his friend Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has cancer in the throat.

In a statement, Roxas said he would not engage in smear campaign against anyone, more so against Duterte whom he considers a friend.

“My family suffered through two tragedies due to cancer. I will never wish [anyone would have it], much more so to Mayor Digong Duterte who I regard as my friend,” he said.

“I have always subscribed to the principle that how you campaign is how you will govern. Ang pinaglalaban natin dito ay ang pagpapatuloy at palalawakin ang Daang Matuwid, hindi ang paglibak sa mga katunggali,” Roxas added.

Duterte who was touted to be a strong contender for the presidency in the 2016 national elections— but decided not to file his Certificate of Candidacy against public clamor—on Friday said that Roxas was behind the supposed smear campaign.

“Sabi ko, maghintay lang kayo ng panahon na sabihin ko sa buong Pilipinas kung bakit itong tao (Roxas) na ito, hindi ito pwedeng maging presidente,” Duterte declared in a radio interview.

He said he had reason enough to believe that the rumors allegedly came from people close to Roxas.

Moreover, Duterte said the move was below the belt as his ex-wife Elizabeth had cancer but still, he said he would not actively go against Roxas' presidential aspirations.

“I might just refuse to campaign for him. Kaibigan ko 'yan,” Duterte said.

Team Daang Matuwid already denied Duterte's allegations against Roxas and said the incident is a misunderstanding between the two friends who worked together in the 11th Congress. — Andrei Medina/LBG, GMA News