CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy downplayed a video played during a congressional hearing, saying it was made in jest and not meant to be taken seriously.
The video, which showed Uy encouraging constituents to transfer their residency to Barangay Carmen during a flag-raising ceremony, was presented during the House committee hearing on electoral suffrage and reform, where a spike in registered voters in the barangay was discussed.
Both Mayor Uy and Barangay Carmen Chairman Rainier Joaquin Uy were not present at the hearing and were instead represented by their legal counsel.
In an interview with several reportes on Tuesday, Uy insisted that the video was taken out of context and politicized by his opponents.
“In ana naman na ang ka atbang sa politika. Kung makapabor sila nga medyo kwaan kag isyu, bisan imong pagsabot tiaw tiaw ra. Dala ra sa kalipay, komedya ra tagaan gyud nilag kahulugan,” Uy said.
Addressing allegations of vote-buying, Uy acknowledged that such accusations are common in politics but argued that those making the complaints are often guilty of the same practice.
“Ang magreklamo maoy kanunayng magbuhat,” he said.
Regarding the surge in voter registration in Barangay Carmen, Uy denied any organized effort to bring in new voters. He claimed that his political opponents were also transporting voters but that he chose not to file complaints against them.
“Kami nuon nga naa mi nakita sa ila nga ilang sakyanan dagko kaayo. Dagko kaayong marka. Maoy nanghakot, wala gyud mi reklamo,” Uy claimed.
Uy also advised his political opponents to focus on their campaigns rather than raising complaints.
“Walay reklamohay,” said Uy.
He emphasized that his campaign would continue without engaging in alleged vote-buying, claiming he never personally handed out money to secure votes.
“Mangampanya na lang. Kay kung hisgutan ta ang vote buying, ako wala man ko’y kwarta. Wala man ko sukad nag vote buying. Ambot lang nang, ambot lang kaha na gigawas na nga naay kwarta,” Uy said.
Uy also clarified his absence from the congressional hearing, explaining that he had prior commitments, including officiating a mass wedding, which had been scheduled months in advance.
“Lisod man nakatando nata, nakapangandam na, nahinayak na, unahon nato atong katungdanan sa unang appointment,” said Uy.
He added that he also had a scheduled engagement with the Chinese-Filipino community for Chinese New Year celebrations, which he had promised to attend a year ago.
“Nakasaad na ‘ko bisan isa pa ka tuig milabay basta makasaad ko. Ako gyud nang barugan,” Uy said.
