The son and campaign manager of Environment secretary and comebacking Manila Mayor Lito Atienza yesterday urged city residents not to be swayed by the black propaganda that their political rivals have been floating against them.

Arnold “Ali” Atienza said his father’s political opponents have been trying hard to confuse the people by making them believe that they were the leading candidates for the city’s mayoral post. He said their rivals were even circulating text messages that the influential Iglesia ni Cristo is not backing his father’s candidacy.

But Ali added that they were already expecting those kinds of disinformation from their opponents especially now that the election is just a few days away.

“They’ve been spreading text messages that we do not really have the support of the INC. They’ve been floating different survey results showing that they are the ones leading. They were even threatening city hall employees….we are expecting these. These are actions of desperate people who know that they are losing the fight,” said Ali, who added that he knew that other mayoral candidates would continue to spread more lies against them.

“They may fool some people especially those living outside the city, but definitely not the Manilans,” the younger Atienza stressed.

He said he is confident of the solid support of the barangay leaders, different religious groups and the residents of Manila that would eventually pave way for the return to the City Hall of three-term undefeated Mayor Lito Atienza.

Ali expressed gratitude to those who believe in his father’s programs and platforms that were already tried and tested during his previous terms as the city mayor.

Ali clarified that based on the survey conducted by the Manila Research Associates last April 29, Atienza was leading ahead of his rivals by 7 percentage votes. He said the survey was done even before Atienza got the nod of the INC.

But with INC’s endorsement, Atienza was assured of another 5 percent solid votes, thus, widening his lead and making him way ahead of his toughest rival, Alfredo Lim, Ali said.

“Dream on! Dreaming is free, anyway. But we’ll see who’s telling the truth on May 10,” he added.