More than 40 ‘kaangkan’ (clans) in Marikina City have voiced their strong support for embattled Mayor Marcelino ‘Marcy’ Teodoro and other local officials currently under preventive suspension, hoping for their exoneration from the charges filed against them.
“The Association of Clans in Marikina is deeply concerned about the events that occurred in our city last week. We want to extend our full support and prayers to Mayor Marcy and the other officials, hoping they receive a fair judgment in the case they are facing,” said Roan Santos, the group’s president.
The group condemned what they describe as ‘dirty politics’ being used by Teodoro’s opponents to tarnish his reputation, including the filing of what they claim are baseless charges against him.
“We share the people’s anger towards the dirty politics of our opponents. We ask ourselves why our beloved country, the land where we were born and raised or have chosen to make our home for a long time, has come to this,” said Santos, expressing hope that peace and order will soon return to the city.
Santos also urged other clans and fellow Marikina residents to support candidates who genuinely care for the city and its residents, rather than those who only appear during elections.
Marikina is known for its distinct communities identified with particular surnames or clan names. Each family or clan is recognized by their nickname, which was given to them due to their peculiar behavior, beliefs or traditions, actions, appearance, way of life, and so on.
The Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) previously called for a fair and transparent hearing process regarding Teodoro’s suspension.
As an organization committed to promoting good governance and combating corruption in government, M4GG expressed confidence that justice and truth will prevail in the matter involving Teodoro, who serves as one of the group’s convenors.