WE swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter.
— French philosopher Denis Diderot
CIVIC leader Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia blasted the latest claims made by reforms activist and known Duterte supporter Jeffrey ‘Ka Eric’ Celiz, who in a recent video alleged that Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong resigned due to pressure from President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.
Serving as Chairman Emeritus of four respected civic-oriented organizations: Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD), People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (PADER), Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI), and Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement, Goitia enthused that such claims are “weapons of disinformation” designed to distort the truth and poison public trust.
“And especially coming from someone like Celiz, whose track record is riddled with lies, these pronouncements can never hold the truth because they are falsehoods covering Celiz’s personal political agenda,” he stressed.
Based on our own research, the self-proclaimed activist is actually a supporter of the Davao Death Squad (DDS), although he had been branded as a drug personality by then president Rodrigo ‘Rody’ Duterte.
After he was linked to drug activities in Iloilo City, Mr. Celiz suddenly disappeared from public view while Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog fled abroad. He left his work at the city hall, too, and since that time, no one in Iloilo City heard from him anymore.
But now that he reappeared suddenly to claim that what he is doing is to redeem his self, Goitia disclosed the truth contradicting Celiz’s allegation: “Mayor Magalong himself explained that he stepped down to protect the integrity of the anti-corruption fight. That was his personal and principled choice.” “Ka Eric’s version that the President ordered Magalong to stop an investigation or that he refused to meet in Malacañan is pure invention.
President Marcos never gave such an order. These lies are crafted to deceive and destabilize,” the civic leader pointed out. Goitia also noted that Celiz has a history of peddling unverified stories and wild accusations, often without evidence: “This is not the first time Ka Eric has tried to stir controversy by spreading rumors dressed as revelations.
Time and again, he has built his notoriety by making reckless claims that collapse under scrutiny. His track record shows a pattern of exploiting the people’s fears and frustrations, not of providing truth. He is not a whistle blower (but) a fabricator.”
Goitia also dismissed the sensational claim that Magalong “snubbed” the President: “The Office of the President is not a gossip arena. To spin stories about supposed refusals is childish and disrespectful,” he said. “Mayor Magalong is a man of integrity. His decision deserves respect, not to be twisted into cheap drama by people who thrive on scandal.”
He condemned Ka Eric’s attempt to drag the Armed Forces into political intrigue: “Let me be clear: it is reckless to use the AFP as props in lies and speculation. Our soldiers have one sacred duty to defend the Republic under civilian authority.
To spread rumors that they are restless or plotting is an insult to their honor. It plants fear where there should be trust, and it weakens the very institution that safeguards our democracy. Those who tarnish the dignity of our men and women in uniform with baseless stories should be held accountable.”
Goitia stressed that while freedom of expression is protected, deliberate falsehoods do not fall under its protection: “Freedom of speech is not freedom to lie. Ka Eric and those like him may think they are just exercising their right to talk, but when words are built on lies and meant to destabilize, that is not democracy. That is sabotage, and sabotage must never be excused as liberty.”
Goitia ended with a direct appeal to the people: “The Filipino people deserve truth, not hysteria. President Marcos has led with patience, prudence, and integrity. He continues to respect the law even when critics try to twist the narrative against him. We must not allow Ka Eric’s disinformation to divide us or erode trust in our institutions. Rumors fade, but the truth and the Republic will endure. Unity behind the President, not hysteria from rumor-mongers, is what will protect our democracy.”
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