MANILA — Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua wants to focus on his campaign instead of engaging with Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent statements. 

The vice president took a jab at the lawmaker in her speech during a sortie of mayoral candidate Isko Moreno in Quiapo which is under Chua’s district. 

During the rally, Duterte picked up an apple and made a show of handing it to congressional candidate Apple Nieto, who is running against Chua.

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“Ang apple na ‘yan ibigay mo kay Snow White Joel Chua. Alam niyo, diba si Snow White kumain ng apple tapos nabilaukan,” she said in jest. 

“Nirerespeto po natin ang kanyang pagpili ng kandidato sa aking distrito. Basta focus lang po ako sa kampanya ko dito,” Chua said in a message to ABS-CBN News Saturday, April 26.

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The House lawmaker noted what matters to him is to efficiently deliver programs to his constituents, adding that negative campaigning will not bring any good to help residents. 

“Ang atin po ay maibaba sa ka-distrito ko ang programa na atin napatupad habang tayo ay nakaupo bilang kanilang Representante,” he stated. 

“Hindi po tayo nagre-resort sa negative campaign dahil wala naman po itong maitutulong sa ating mamamayan,” Chua added. 

Chua chairs the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability that scrutinized the use of confidential funds of Duterte’s office. -- with a report from Kaxandra Salonga, ABS-CBN News