THE Villafuerte political family in Camarines Sur is on the defensive following criticism of their handling of relief efforts during severe tropical storm Kristine.

Photos online showed Gov. Luigi Villafuerte and his father, 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymund “Lray” Villafuerte seen in Siargao, probably around the time Kristine hit the region, along with the governor’s girlfriend, actress Yassi Pressman.

The governor dismissed it as fake news and even showed his boarding pass to prove he was only there for the weekend.

“I would like to address the malicious rumor being hurled against me and my family. We started our tourism benchmarking with CamSur (Youth Council) officials in Siargao on Saturday, October 19,” the governor wrote on Thursday.

“We were already back from Siargao on Monday, October 21, contrary to what is being said that yesterday we were in Siargao and got stuck there. This is FAKE NEWS,” the governor emphasized.

“Since Monday, we have been carrying out evacuation, rescue missions and relief efforts. We will make sure to reach out to more areas affected by heavy flooding the moment the water subsides enough for the safety of our rescuers as well,” added the younger Villafuerte. “Now more than ever, everyone should focus on relief and recovery for CamSur, the Bicol region and the rest of the country affected by Typhoon Kristine.”

In Facebook posts on Friday, the governor conducted relief operations in Nabua, Canaman, Mabolo in Naga City and in Gainza.

His father also urged his critics to just help in the relief efforts.

“How are we going to swim from Siargao in just one day? To those who want to tread on lies in the time of calamity, stop it or you will get karma. Just help!” the elder Villafuerte said on Facebook in Filipino.

He also thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for sending aid to Camarines Sur, with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian assessing the situation.

“DSWD also sent aid and food packages early to various evacuation centers across the province! Thank you, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, for your continued help and action,” he wrote.

Villafuerte also said that the aid he relayed to Marcos through Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, on rubber boats and 6×6 trucks, arrived in the province via a C130 plane and is on its way to the province to be deployed for search, rescue and aid distribution. in the flooded areas of the province’s second, third and fifth districts.

He also requested food packs for immediate consumption for the affected.

The elder Villafuerte also defended his elder son, Camarines Sur Rep. Miguel Luis “Migz” Villafuerte, after he was seen giving money to a flood-affected resident.