Propaganda comics circulate in Cavite

Tricia Villaluz

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A comic book crticizing the incumbent governor is making the rounds in Cavite

IMUS CITY, CAVITE, Philippines – A comic book criticizing the incumbent governor is making the rounds in the province. Entitled “The Jonvic Bulate Story: Droga at mga Krimen sa Cavite,” the comic book first started circulating on May 4, according to some witnesses.

The 12-page comic book tells the story of a certain Governor Jonvic Bulate who uses P370 million in provincial funds to cultivate worms instead of using it for an anti-drugs campaign. Included in the story is how drug syndicates have proliferated and crime rates increased in the province.

The comic book’s character and storyline heavily alludes to incumbent Governor Jonvic Remulla, who is running for reelection against former governor Erineo “Ayong” Maliksi. 

Black propaganda and negative campaigning are common features of Philippine elections. Comic books are a popular form used by different campaigns to either promote or discredit political candidates. 

Remulla’s response

To counter the allegations, Remulla’s camp released a newsletter entitled “Isang Pagpapaliwanag” where he clarifies the alleged misallocation of provincial funds.

COUNTER-ATTACK. Remulla’s newsletter negating the allegations. Photo byTricia Villaluz

In an interview with Rappler, Remulla claimed that, contrary to the black propaganda, most of the provincial funds actually went to the Cavite police and SWAT units. 

“That is totally fabricated. In fact, nilaan ko ang funds mostly sa PNP at sa anti-dengue campaigns sa province (In fact, I allocated most of the funds to PNP and to the anti-dengue campaigns in the province). The alleged misallocated P370 million is equivalent to 20% of the development funds of the province. If this accusation is true, then there will be no new school buildings, new roads and new health centers in Cavite. They can check the record,” Remulla claimed. 

Remulla added that these expenses helped achieve a lower crime index in Cavite.

He also argued that the vermiculture project was implemented by former governor Ayong Maliksi, and that he was just continuing the project to make use of its benefits for organic farming.

He challenged the people of Cavite to check the Annual Investment Plan of the province in order to ensure that the funds were appropriated accordingly.

In 2012, the province of Cavite had an approved Annual Investment Plan of over P2.7 billion with at least P581,103,534 allocated for the office of the governor.

NOT SO FUNNY. Black propaganda about misallocation of funds in Cavite is assuming the form of a comic book. Photo by Tricia Villaluz

Notorious

Drugs and violence remain a problem for this populous province. 

Several recent high-profile crimes have put Cavite on the map. 

In November 2012, a 20-year-old cum laude UST student was raped in Bacoor, Cavite. 

Last January 4, 2013 a gunman ran amok and killed 8 people in Kawit, Cavite while reportedly under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

And in Dasmarinas, Cavite a 9-year-old grade 3 student was made into a sex slave by four drug addicts in early January. – Rappler.com


Tricia Villaluz is a Rappler Mover and a recent graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

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