Claiming that they at the receiving end of a “vicious black propaganda”, the power couple of Cong. Roberto Cajes and his wife Trinidad Mayor Judith Cajes said they can still afford to be “cool under fire”. The Cajes camp admitted in an interview that it has been the target of verbal attacks over the radio, in newspapers and even the internet. But the Cajeses countered that they remain serene and collected. They said that in these times of rampant politicizing of issues, they would rather rely on media personalities and media outfits that will provide fair and impartial news to the people. In a press release issued by the Cajes camp, the couple said the black propaganda began when the Trinidad mayor filed her certificate of candidacy for second district representative opposing Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado. But who is Bebe Cajes?. Is she really an opponent who is hard to beat? Why launch such strategic black propaganda against her and her family?

And why such great efforts to throw fireballs and mud against the Cajeses? These were but a few pointed questions directed at the lady mayor that begged to be answered as the run-up to the May polls became a heated issue. According to the same press release, the incidence of black propaganda in the direction of the Cajeses, this time, was seen as a reprise of the heated contest between reelectionist governor Rene Relampagos and Aumentado in 2001. Aumentado was a graduating second district congressman when he challenged Relampagos to a one-on-one political confrontation in 2001. Aumentado won. Citing a case in point, the Cajes camp said ERelampagos was a victim of dirty politics when he was accused of having owned a mansion in Baclayon only to learn later that the real owner was the US-based Dr.Juanito Aya-ay. The issue on the Salcon deal was also used to blemish the integrity and credibility of Relampagos, but the issues died down after Aumentado won over Relampagos, the same press release added.

“Ang ilang pag-atake namu nagpasabot nga nahadlok sila nga mahimo ako nga kusog nga kaatbang. Dili unta sila angay mahadlok sa akong paglansad kay basis a ilang mga panghambog kusog man kuno sila. Maayo man kuno sila, so dili unta sila mangdaot naku” (They are claiming that they have the support of the people. If they are truly confident about this support, they shouldn't have bothered to attack me and my family with black propaganda. Their proganda attempted to reduce me to a lower form of specie. If they think that I am a specie of lower form, they should have ignored my candidacy just as they have ignored the other two congressional candidates in the second district). Cajes said that they have gone through several personal and dirty issues thrown against them. She said, however, the family managed to see through those issues, and instead resulted in further developments in the second district of Bohol.

According to the lady Cajes, the decision of Comelec on who should be the official candidate of the party will not be a time bomb for her quest. She said that the decision of the people who are supporting “my candidacy will be the final say”. “I am running to offer the people a choice, in line with the principles of democracy, while I maintain my loyalty to Lakas party. I will consistently and strongly support Gibo's presidency and all Lakas candidates. This kind of loyalty goes beyond what Aumentado can give and a victory for Lakas that Aumentado cannot assure.” Cajes emphasized. The lady mayor further contended that while political contenders questioned her candidacy, the parties have chosen not to notice the fact that Aumentado has already had his stint with three consecutive terms as congressman and another three consecutive terms as governor. While admitting that black propaganda was all part of the game, Cajes assured the people in the second district that she will never resort to the same dirty tactic saying, “I will never do anything that will tarnish the essence of democracy. We will only speak about truth and respond to issues based on truths and facts.”

“I don't have the resources to waste on black propaganda. I believe that as a true public servant, we must uphold the principles of democracy. Give the people options, but never mislead people by fabricated and politically orchestrated propaganda against contenders,” she added. Instead of bickering on the personal life and instigating black propaganda, Cajes suggested that their campaign must be anchored on their confidence over their tract record and sincerity in public service. In the wake of unfavorable propaganda, the lady Cajes said she was only flattered as it may indicate that her opponents in the position may have found her as a hard nut to crack. In parting, Cajes has this to say: politics must not be a lifetime career. “Eventually we will get old and should retire while still in good shape and in good image. When we leave politics, our legacy will define who we are, she concluded.”