Priests decry hero portrayal of Philippine politician

Comic book depiction of presidential hopeful Mar Roxas's alleged deeds during typhoon branded 'shameful'.

This comic book grab depicts presidential candidate Mar Roxas as a hero when super typhoon Haiyan hit the country in 2013.

Manila:  An official of the Catholic Church’s social action arm in the Philippines has criticized a comic book that depicts a presidential candidate as a "hero" during Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.

Father Edwin Gariguez, executive secretary of Caritas Philippines, said the depiction of Mar Roxas as a savior in the book is "shameful and unacceptable propaganda."

Roxas, a former minister in President Benigno Aquino's administration, is the Liberal Party's presidential candidate in this year's national election.

The 28-page comic book called Sa Gitna ng Unos (In the Midst of the Storm), was published by the candidate's supporters who claimed it aims to remind the public of Roxas' supposed efforts to help victims of Haiyan.

"In conscience, I need to belie this hypocritical claim," that Mar Roxas was a hero in the emergency response to the typhoon, Gariguez said.

"We need to bring truth and decency to our electoral process," the priest said.

Caritas has been at the forefront of the Philippine bishops' recovery and rehabilitation efforts in at least nine dioceses in the central Philippines, following the typhoon.

Now in the second phase in a three-year 432.15 million-peso project, the agency is focused on interventions geared toward sustaining resilient communities.

Father Jazz Siapco, director of the archdiocesan Social Action Center in Lipa, said the comic book is "misleading."

"I don't believe he is a hero. I myself was immersed in the relief operation and rehabilitation in Leyte," the priest said.

More than two years after one of the strongest typhoons in recent history, the Philippine government still has a lot to accomplish, as observers lamented a slow progress in the rehabilitation efforts.

Even the United Nations has criticized the government for failing to provide homes and decent jobs to the typhoon victims.

Some 7,500 people died while at least 2,500 others went missing when super typhoon Haiyan hit the country in November 2013.

A Liberal Party spokesman defended the comic book, saying it was meant to inform the public about Roxas’ good deeds.

"This comic book was produced to counter lies being spread against him," Barry Gutierrez said March 28.

As a comic book it is only "natural" that some parts are being "dramatized," he said.

"[Roxas'] record when it comes to helping typhoon victims is clear, and we stand by it," Gutierrez added.

The comic book went viral on social media after photos of its cover, which shows Roxas herding people to safety, were posted online.

Source: UCAN