Piñol issued his warning during his “Pareng Gob” program over DXND Radio for Peace.
“I appeal to our politicians not to pay (campaign fees) to the New People’s Army. I also urge the constituents that if you know of politicians who pay revolutionary taxes to the NPA, they don’t deserve our votes,” he added.
Piñol said Malacañang is ironing out policies that would be imposed, such as “increasing penalties for those who will cooperate with the enemy of the state, especially the politicians.”
He said politicians paying revolutionary taxes to the NPA are not ideal leaders who could protect and promote development in their areas once they will be elected.
“If they are afraid of the NPA, how could they protect their constituents and initiate development in their areas especially the province of North Cotabato?” Piñol asked.
He said during his nine year-term as governor of North Cotabato not a single centavo went to the NPA as campaign fee.
The NPA has been imposing a “permit-to-campaign” fee in the areas where they operate during elections.
Meanwhile, Pinol’s brother, Efren, the mayor of Magpet town, said political aspirants and even those seeking reelection are busy with their gimmicks in the run-up to the May 14 polls.
The filing of certificates of candidacy for local officials begins on January 15 but the official campaign period starts only on March 30.
This early, however, the mayor says political aspirants are now going around the barangays to get the public’s support.
“Reports reaching my office that these politicians have encouraged barangay constituents to support their political ambitions in May elections,” he said but declined to name the politicians.
He said some barangay chairs noticed the distribution of rice and sardines to their constituents especially those living in the hinterland areas.
“I told the barangay officials of my town to closely watch these people and take mmediate action if ever they enter their respective areas without asking permission or coordination from the barangay officials,” he said.