Mayor still very popular

‘Zamboangueños behind Mayor’

DESPITE THE black propaganda against her, Mayor Beng Climaco - who is running for congress – is still very popular among residents here and proof of this is the surge in the number of her followers on her Facebook page now at 373,000.

Followers of Climaco’s social media page in July was almost 359,000 from only 133,000 in 2018 – a year before she was re-elected and won by a landslide over former mayor and lawmaker Celso Lobregat. The number of her followers in July increased by over 47,000 compared to last year’s 312,000 which was more than 200% from 2018. 

Now, the number of Climaco’s followers on her Facebook page increased by 14,000 in just four months since July.

Climaco’s lone social media page has the most number of followers today compared to Lobregat’s two Facebook accounts with a combined followers of 199,035 while Rep. Mannix Dalipe’s two Facebook pages with only 40,026 followers. And if elections are held today, Climaco will surely win hands down and be back at Congress again. 

The mayor is now on her third and final term and she is leaving behind a legacy of good governance responsive to the needs and welfare of the Zamboangueños, more especially at this time of the pandemic.

However, trolls and political foes continue their black propaganda against Climaco, taking advantage of the situation ahead of next year’s polls in an effort to influence and boost those they are supporting. But residents continue their outpouring of support for Climaco.

Climaco has repeatedly lambasted fake news and disinformation being peddled by her detractors and called on the public to carefully scrutinize news or stories created to deliberately misinform or deceive readers to influence views or for political motives.

“El black propaganda ta continua y el fake news, false information na social media ta continua hace calayat el cuantos maga persona que tiene mal intencion para destrosa el govierno local, para destrosa el esfuerzos del govierno por de ila vested interest,” Climaco told the Zamboanga Post.

“Y el los demas personas, como venganza contra con el govierno cay no puede estos maga gente influir con el gobierno local. Por cuantos años, el ataque contra na administracion sin descanso por causa de politica,” she added. 

Climaco said the local government continues to work hard for the welfare of the people while her foes are busy spreading black propaganda. In one of her weekly columns, “Sunday Reflection”, Climaco said she leaves everything to God.

“Where would I hewn my strength if not from God alone who placed me here? Despite the toxicity of politics, bien mabuling gayod, I am here to respond to the calling of God to change systems to be able to deliver quality service to the people. Just as in Jesus’ ministry, there were noisy, angry, and divisive voices that became obstacles in His mission. I too, navigate into these destructive obstacles that try to lure me away from my mission and my focus on my work,” she wrote.

“Politics is the main challenge that continues to distract our efforts to address the real problems of Covid-19. Malicious claims, spreading of baseless accusations and giving people false hope in doing what is popular…and all these for personal and political agenda? Very divisive and distractive as it is an obstacle to unity in these times of crisis. This is the cross a leader must carry, to deny oneself for the people. Not to let the distractive voices be an obstacle in following Jesus and our mission to serve. No matter how heavy our crosses may be, do not let obstacles block God’s love to grant you hope and a future!” she added.

In the end, Climaco quoted Jeremiah 29:11 and wrote: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” She also thanked the Zamboangueños for their unwavering support and love for her. (Zamboanga Post)