Speaker Prospero Nograles and other Malacañang allies in the House of Representatives urged the public Friday to reject candidates who are resorting to publicity gimmicks, such as filing of cases in courts, in their bid to drumbeat their candidacy.

Nograles, together with fellow Lakas-Kampi-CMD Reps. Danilo Suarez (Quezon); Rodito Albano (Isabela) and Abdullah Dimaporo (Lanao del Norte), said candidates engaged in such publicity stunts are depriving the public of their right to know the platform of governance of those running for office.

The administration lawmakers aired separate press statements in reaction to the filing by Akbayan partylist Rep. Rissa Hontiveros-Baraquel of a Supreme Court petition seeking the disqualification of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as congressional candidate in Pampanga.

The case was actually an appeal of a similar case filed by Hontiveros before the Commission on Elections.

Comelec junked the disqualification issue against Arroyo, pointing out that her decision to run for another office is not a violation of the Constitution.

Nograles said Hontiveros new bid “smacks of recycled propaganda” as he noted that the party-list solon is running for senator under the Liberal party ticket. “This I think is pure propaganda suit by those who think they can win a national election by attacking the President,” Nograles said.

Suarez, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight, said Hontiveros presented the same legal arguments she brought to the Comelec.

“It was thrown out by the Comelec for lack of basis. There is nothing new in the petition filed before the SC, hence it’s doubtful it will pass the SC’s own scrutiny,” said Suarez.

On the other hand, Albano said Arroyo should not be faulted for pursuing a number of infrastructure projects in her district in Pampanga.

“It’s her responsibility not only to the people of Pampanga but to all Filipinos to serve and help them as chief executive of our country. There are many districts in the country which have been earmarked with more appropriations for vital infrastructure projects. It’s unfair to single out the President’s district just because she is running as representative of her constituents,” said Albano. Furthermore, Albano said the implementation of President Arroyo’s pro-people.