SJDM mayor, wife draw flak over mural, Baby Jesus in background

San Jose del Monte Bulacan Mayor Arthur Robes and his wife Bulacan Representative Rida Robes have drawn criticisms online over the mural at city's convention center.

The mural featured their larger-than-life likenesses with the Nativity Scene and other religious images relegated to the background.

The photo was shared by 2,100 times on Facebook as of 4:07 pm on Tuesday before it was deleted around 4:20 pm of the same day.

In replying to one of the critics on Facebook, the San Jose del Monte City’s Public Information Office said that the entire mural featured all the people who helped in the construction of the convention center which was inaugurated on Tuesday.

“Ang mga mural painting ay pagpapakita ng mga opisyales na mga nakatulong sa pagbuo ng Convention Center. Nandyan po si Senator Nancy Binay and DPWH  Secretary Mark Villar,” the city’s PIO said.

“Pagkilala lamang po [ito] sa malaki nilang kontribusyon para maitayo ang pasilidad,” it added.

GMA News Online has sought the Robes couple for comment but has yet to receive any as of posting time.

The PIO in a statement said the mural at the convention center was an artists' depiction of the nativity scene which landed the city in the Guiness Book of World Records last year.

"The event represented a major milestone for San Jose Del Monte City because it gave international recognition to the hard work and commitment to the faith of San Joseños with the leadership Rep. Rida and Mayor Arthur," the statement read.

The city in December last year broke the Guinness World Record for the most living figures in a nativity scene.

Previously held by the United Kingdom with 1,100 participants, residents of San Jose Del Monte snatched the record with 2,100 participants.

"I don't think there is any doubt, you have broken the record, and this is a new Guinness world's record title," a Guinness World Record adjudicator said. -NB, GMA News