The #OustDuterte rally in EDSA was awaited by many netizens who are curious if this time, they’re going to succeed in pressuring President Rodrigo Duterte to resign by showing how many people are already opposing his policies.
However, it seems that many of them are disappointed that four years since Duterte became the President, there’s still no opposition rally that could raise alarm to the current administration.
A netizen even made a funny news report about the EDSA rally to mock the rallyist who even called the event “People Power 3” in some of their Facebook posts few weeks ago.
Hajji Kuya Amin, who’s driving along EDSA on February 22 published a live video showing the rallyists gathered around the People Power Monument.
In his report, he sarcastically said that there are millions of people attended the rally.
“Milyon milyong mga tao ang naipon dito para manawagan ng ‘resign Duterte’ ayan po mga kaibigan napakarami po nila ngayon, sa sobrang dami po nila ngayon ay wala pong ka-traffic traffic,” he said.
In reality, MMDA announced that there are only approximately 200 people attended the said event.
The event was promoted by several opposition supporters for months, asking for donations for the big event.
“Sabi ng mga DDS, nananaginip daw ako sa panawagang #OUST DUTERTE sa 2-22-2020. “You may say I’m a dreamer: but I’m not the only one.” – IMAGINE, John Lennon,” Enzo Recto, one of the organizers of the rally said weeks before the event.
However, it seems that the effort of the organizers is not enough to encourage the public to support the ouster of President Duterte.
It seems that not only the opposition supporters are disappointed after seeing that there are only a few attendees in the most awaited #OustDuterte rally in EDSA.
Even Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Spokesperson Celine Pialago was disappointed because the agency prepared a lot after hearing rumors that many people are going to attend the event which aims to oust President Rodrigo Duterte from his office.
According to Pialago’s post, MMDA already put barriers around the possible places of the rally, however, they were disappointed that only less than 200 people attended the event.
Pialago also sacrificed her weekend vacation just to supervise the said event.
“Sayang naman preparation namin for this “rally” naglagay pa kami ng barriers, tapos pumasok pa ako ng weekend,” Pialago said on her Facebook post.
The #OustDuterte rally was organized by the group Bunyog (Pagkakaisa) to force President Duterte to resign.
Enzo Recto, one of the organizers, even called the said event as “People Power 3”.
“Nang mag-erupt ang Taal, mas private sector ang tumugon sa pangangailangan ng mga tao. Ngayong pumutok ang krisis sa coronavirus, mas inisip pa ng gobyerno ang ikakasama ng loob ng China kung iba-ban ang mga Intsik sa pagpasok sa bansa, kaysa sa sariling kapakanan at kaligtasan ng sariling mamamayan.” Recto said.
“Wala na talaga. Failure of governance na ito. Hindi lang si Duterte, lahat ng sangay ng gobyerno, at lahat ng mga pulitiko ay wala nang silbi sa bansa at sa mga tao. Si Secretary Duque at ang Department of Health, hindi makapagrekomenda ng pag-ban sa pagpasok ng mga Intsik sa bansa dahil takot na baka magalit si Duterte. Ang mga congressman at mga senador, mga walang masabi. Busog na busog sa pork barrel at mga insertions sa kaa-approve pa lang na 2020 budget. Ang AFP at PNP tahimik rin lang sa mga nangyayari. Lahat ayaw banggain si Duterte, kahit alam na nilang napakaseryoso na ng sitwasyon dahil napakaraming Intsik na ang nasa bansa at patuloy pa ang pagdagsa.” he added.
“Kung wala na silang mga silbi, panahon nang bawiin ng mga tao ang kapangyarihang pinahiram sa kanila. “Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.” #OustDuterteNow! #PeoplePowerNa!” he also said.
However, despite the online support and donations received by Recto, it seems that People Power 3 is not going to happen yet.
As of writing, Bunyog is not yet releasing a statement over the criticisms they received after their EDSA rally.
A netizen criticized radio disc jockey Czarina Balba also known as DJ Chacha after she asked Senator Ronald Dela Rosa to resign because of admitting his loyalty to President Rodrigo Duterte.
On a Facebook post, netizen Noel Landero Sarifa explained to Balba that it’s acceptable to anyone to be loyal to a politician as long as they’re not corrupt or doing any illegal actions.
Sarifa said that in the case of Senator Dela Rosa, he chose to be loyal to President Duterte who’s according to the netizen, is a very good leader and known for taking care of his people.
He also said that there’s nothing wrong with being loyal to a democratically-elected President like Duterte.
Sarifa then challenged the DJ who became popular because of her signature line “mwah mwah tsup tsup” to criticize the owner of her radio station, ABS-CBN if she really wanted to fight for her country.
Balba is working at MOR 101.9, a radio station owned by ABS-CBN.
He also reminded Chacha that the voters are already aware about the close relationship between Duterte and Dela Rosa, but the former PNP chief still won the senatorial election.
Here’s what Sarifa said in his post:
DJ Cha Cha,
Depende po yan, kung ang loyalty mo ay sa politikong corrupt, gahaman sa kapangyarihan at nanlilinlang ng taumbayan, tulad ng Amo mo, yan ang Tuta.
Pero kung ang Politikong nagpapakita ka ng loyalty ay isang Leader na alam mong mas may kakayahang mapabuti ang kapakanan ng bansa, kung tumutulong ka sa kanyang mga layunin dahil alam mong hindi ka magiging pabigat at sa pagtulong mo sa kanya, nakakatulong ka sa inang bayan mo, tawag dyan bayanihan.
Kung ang politikong may loyalty ka ay tunay na halal ng taumbayan at ginagawa naman lahat ng tungkulin at adhikain para sa bansa, tawag dyan respeto sa demokrasya ng bayan.
I am loyal to the President and my country. As long as I see that the President is doing his best to uplift the lives of our countrymen and do his best to put the glory back to our nation, why would I not be loyal to him?
Sya ang Presidente, gagalaw ba ang bansa natin kung hindi matino ang presidente, gagalaw ba ang bansa kung ang loyalty mo nasa bansa at ang Presidente natin ang alam lang sabihin ay bahala kayo sa buhay mo? Who else runs the country? Ikaw? Ang amo mong oligarch?
Your statement does not apply to all, your loyalty to your management what do you call it? Puppetry? Slavery?
Loyal ka ba sa bayan mo? Sige nga, Ipagtanggol mo kaming mga kababayan mong tinatapakan ng amo mong minamanipula ang mga balita para sa mga pansarili nilang interes!
Loyal ka sa bayan mo? Ipagsigawan mo na pinapatay ng mother network mo ang demokrasya ng bansa sa pagbibrainwash ng mga tao.
Loyal ka sa bayan mo? Ipagsigawan mo sa management mo bakit puro negatibo ang mga balita? Kalaswaan ang mga palabas? Puro kabit! Patayan! Nakakatulong ba yan sa nation building? Pwede sabihan mo sila ibalita naman ang mga accomplishment ng ating gobyerno? Hindi yong pinipiringan nila ang mga mata ng Pilipino sa tunay na estado ng bansa!
Several days ago, Balba made fun of Dela Rosa’s statement about his loyalty to Duterte and even asked the Senator to resign as a lawmaker and just apply as security personnel of the President.
“I suggest mag-resign na dapat si Senator sa pagiging senador at mag-apply na Bodyguard ng Presidente tutal naman ang loyalty niya ay sa Pangulo at hindi sa taong bayan,” she said.
“Yan ang mahirap kapag mahilig kayong bumoto ng mga politikong PUPPET ang role sa gobyerno. Wag kang umasa na marunong silang tumayo at ipaglaban ang tama kase nagfufunction ang utak nila alinsunod sa pinuno nila,” she added.
Dela Rosa then responded to Balba’s tweet, asking who she is to urge him to resign.
“Who you?” Dela Rosa said when asked about his reaction to Balba’s criticisms.
ABS-CBN supporters organized another rally to express their support to the television network giant amid their franchise renewal issue.
The top talents of ABS-CBN like Angel Locsin, Jericho Rosales, and Coco Martin also attended the same event and participated in the so-called human chain around the company’s compound stretching around Lopez Drive, Mother Ignacia, and Sgt. Esguerra as they called for a renewal of the network’s franchise which is still pending in the Lower House.
“Ang Probinsiyano” leading star Coco Martin who’s wearing a white shirt together with the other attendees of the rally defended the network who made him become one of the richest and famous celebrities today in showbusiness today.
According to him, the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN is not only for the cause of the celebrities and other people working for the company but also for the whole Filipino nation.
“Hindi ko hahayaan na isang araw magising na lang ako na ‘yung pinagkakautangan ko ng loob, ng maraming empleyado, na nagbibigay sa’min ng hanapbuhay para matupad ang aming mga pangarap ay mawala na lang nang bigla,” Martin said.
The actor also seems opposed the gag order filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida before the Supreme Court to prevent anyone from talking publicly about the franchise issue of ABS-CBN.
Martin said that everyone should not be stopped from speaking about their opinions on what’s happening in the country every day.
“Kinakailangan naming ipakita ang aming suporta, hindi lang kami, hindi lang lahat ng nagtatrabaho sa ABS-CBN kundi ang lahat ng mga Pilipino kasi hindi natin dapat pigilan ang tao na makapagsalita. Kailangan na maging malaya pa rin tayo kung ano ang opinyon natin at saloobin natin. Kailangan mapanindigan natin at masabi natin kung ano ang nararamdaman natin tungkol sa mga bagay-bagay na nangyayari sa ating bansa,” he added.
Twitter users praised Coco Martin’s speech, calling him “real-life Cardo Dalisay” and a parody account even called the actor as a new hero.
— Malacañang Events and Catering Services (@MalacananEvents) February 21, 2020
“Hats off to Coco Martin! That is a powerful statement. This is why it is important for our actors/actresses to speak up about freedom of press and expression. Saludo sa mga artista para sa bayan!” netizen @kevinmanalo_ said.
Hats off to Coco Martin! That is a powerful statement. This is why it is important for our actors/actresses to speak up about freedom of press and expression. Saludo sa mga artista para sa bayan!
“Grabe statement ni Coco Martin! And I just wish that this show of support & solidarity of artists, employees & supporters of ABS-CBN be not only limited to its franchise renewal but also on matters greatly affecting our country. Let us show them that we still have the power!” @rryyyaaaannnn commented.
However, some netizens are still not impressed with Martin’s statement, suspecting that the actor is only afraid to lose one of his main sources of income.
“ayokong makitang mawala ang kumpanyang pinagkakautangan namin ng loob” ito ba yong speech nya? anong pinagkakautangan nang loob? don sa fans karapatdapat di sa abias cbn. Maypa hats off2x kapang nalalaman,” netizen @loljustgoaway said.
"ayokong makitang mawala ang kumpanyang pinagkakautangan namin ng loob" ito ba yong speech nya? anong pinagkakautangan nang loob? don sa fans karapatdapat di sa abias cbn. Maypa hats off2x kapang nalalaman
The surprise wedding of Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli captured the attention of social media.
However, the netizens do not seem interested in the main event of the wedding and they’re more curious about what happened during the sidelines of the event.
It was reported that the mother of Sarah Geronimo, Divina suddenly appeared to the wedding of her child despite being not invited to the said event.
There’s also a police blotter revealing that Guidicelli allegedly confronted one of the security personnel of his wife, accusing him of informing Divina about the wedding and spoiling the private wedding.
It’s already known that the mother Sarah Geronimo, ‘Mommy Divine’ was rumored to be a very strict parent to her daughter as the singer/actress is still hesitating to enter a married life despite being in her 30s already.
Twitter users didn’t stop in gathering clues and information about what happened to the wedding of Sarah and Matteo, and one netizen even saw a blind item posted by entertainment blog Fashion Pulis two weeks ago that may answer all the questions why Divina was not invited to the wedding of her own child.
The post of Twitter @sportshecklerrr shows the screenshot from Fashion Pulis’ blind item about a story about a mother who wanted to transfer all the assets of her child under her name.
This B.I. came out 2 weeks ago on fashionpulis. Allegedly about Matteo & Sarah. Apparently, Mommy Divine did not only want a pre-nup but wanted Sarah to transfer all her assets to them before marriage. And shes been foiling wedding preparations since they declined to do it. pic.twitter.com/lXpapA3BQA
“When Future Bride (FB) found out the drama of AE and HP, she decided to talk to her kin. AE was firm to show her dislike for the forthcoming event and obviously, for the Future Husband (FH). While FB has been pleading for AE to cooperate, she was not at all listening and instead, she was focused on reading documents. Later, the documents turned out to be the prenup and other papers that would allegedly place under her name everything that FB owns. AE said that she would only have peace of mind if FB turns over everything to her. Her goal is to ensure that FH will not get any assets of FB in case they separate in the future. FB, at that point, refused to sign, citing that her love for FH is immeasurable,” Fashion Pulis wrote on their article.
Probably why Mommy Divine got dis-invited from Sarah-Matteo wedding
Some netizen assumed that the mother in the story is Mommy Divine and her actions in the story forced the couple to disinvite her to the wedding of her child.
Twitter users also debated if it is really appropriate for Mommy Divine to still decide for her child who’s already 31 years old.
“Mommy Divine just being real asf.. no bs thing or something.. at gusto ko pagka segurista niya as a mother lalo sa panahon ngayon na naglipana mga oportunista,” netizen @reimund_resha12 said.
Mommy Divine just being real asf.. no bs thing or something.. at gusto ko pagka segurista niya as a mother lalo sa panahon ngayon na naglipana mga oportunista.. js?
“Why can’t Sarah just do the prenup? No need to transfer her properties to her mother. The prenup is enough. If Matteo is really rich and not insecure, he will agree to that prenup to avoid trouble. Tama naman talaga na mukhang hambog yong taong yon. Just do the prenup!” @thedamnbrown remarked.
Why can't Sarah just do the prenup? No need to transfer her properties to her mother. The prenup is enough. If Matteo is really rich and not insecure, he will agree to that prenup to avoid trouble. Tama naman talaga na mukhang hambog yong taong yon. Just do the prenup!
“Isa lang ibig sabihin, mas mahalaga pera kay mommy divine kaysa kay sarah, may malasakit siya sa perang pinaghirapan ni sarah, kesa kay sarah, hindi pa nga kinakasal ang nasa isip na paghihiwalay abay advance mag isip,” @couzmot23 twitted.
Isa lang ibig sabihin, mas mahalaga pera kay mommy divine kaysa kay sarah, may malasakit siya sa perang pinaghirapan ni sarah, kesa kay sarah, hindi pa nga kinakasal ang nasa isip na paghihiwalay abay advance mag isip.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo explained the side of the government to journalist Karen Davila on the issue of the ABS-CBN franchise.
In an interview with ANC Headstart, Panelo insisted that President Rodrigo Duterte is not controlling or pressuring the other branches of the government to block the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, which initially set to expire by the end of March 2020.
According to Panelo, Duterte is only expressing his frustrations against ABS-CBN when they didn’t air the commercial he paid last presidential election, but it doesn’t mean that he’s already controlling the Congress to block it.
He also said that only the Congress could decide if they’re going to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN and not the President.
“The President made utterances against ABS-CBN, he made certain statement like ‘I’ll shut it down’ pero hindi naman literal ‘yun eh, he wants to shut down the fraudulent practices of your network,” Panelo told Davila.
“Yun ang kinagagalit ni Presidente, yung mga ganoong klaseng practices kaya siya nagalit, you cannot deprived this man to express his displeasure or disgust or anger when he was a victim of fraud, pero walang kinalaman ‘yun sa pag renew because that is the job of the Congress,” he added.
The Presidential Spokesperson also said that even if Duterte tries to veto the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, Congress has still the power to override the decision of the President.
“Ano naman kung i-veto? They can override the veto of the President,” the President said.
When Davila asked if the Congress is violating any law because they’re not doing their job in tackling the ABS-CBN franchise, Panelo said that only the courts could decide that.
On the quo warranto filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida, Panelo explained that the said petition is not ordered by the President.
Panelo claimed that Calida is moving independently and he sees nothing wrong with filing the quo warranto because it will not affect the franchise of ABS-CBN.
“Ano naman kung granted (yung quo warranto) edi ganon parin, may pending application ka naman, kasi kung mayroon kang violation ay doon ka lang mananagot sa batas sa violation mo pero after that pwede ka namang mag apply, still the Congress would decide,” Panelo explained.
Panelo also complained about how ABS-CBN seems trying to blame Duterte to their franchise issue and also aligning their issues with press freedom.
However, Davila argued that the franchise of ABS-CBN “could lead” to a press freedom issue.
“Ang nakakayamot Karen, pinapasok nila yung freedom of the press, walang connection eh, ipagpalagay na nating nawala ang ABS CBN, are you telling me na nawala na yung freedom of expression and of the press? Of course not, ang dami daming networks, ang daming radyo nandyan parin, and ABS-CBN can always, alam mo na madali lang naman gawan ng paraan yan, ibenta mo lang tapos ikaw rin pala ang may hawak, ewan ko ba parang natatawa na ko,” he said.
When Davila tried to insist that the issue of ABS-CBN is also about freedom of the press, Panelo asked the journalist how she would prove that.
However, Davila refused to answer to Panelo’s question.
“I’m not gonna tell you, I’m going to ask you that’s my job on the show to ask you,” she told Panelo.
She then asked Panelo why President Duterte didn’t stop the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to file a quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN if he doesn’t really want to interfere with the Congress.
As a response, Panelo said that it’s the job of the OSG to file a case against alleged violators of the constitution.
Davila then brought up the press freedom issue again and asked Panelo if an editorial judgment is a violation of the franchise renewal.
To answer the question of Davila, Panelo said that editorial judgment is not a violation of the franchise renewal so the ABS-CBN issue cannot be linked to press freedom.
“Bakit, hindi naman iyon yung ground for quo warranto ah, so edi walang koneksyon, the very connection of the quo warranto does not even touch your right to criticize, your right to write editorials so anong koneksyon non sa freedom of express or of the press? Edi wala,” Panelo said.
Davila mentioned a statement from some experts, saying that the franchise issue could lead to the editorial independence of any given networks.
However, Panelo argued that only Congress could decide about the franchise issue of ABS-CBN and not the President.
“Eh sino nga ang nag bibigay ng franchise o nag re-renew edi Congress, bakit mo sinisisi ang Presidente, wala ngang kinalaman ang Presidente doon, tanungin mo kung bakit galit si Presidente, sasagutin kita,” Panelo told Davila.
Panelo also has a message to the management of ABS-CBN.
“Ang problema kasi sa inyo, hindi yung mga bagong executives ngayon, kakaawa nga dahil ang gagaling, mga bata, matitino, now they’re suffering because of what their father’s did, or yung mga uncle nila… Alam na nila na mali yung ginawa nila, and yet did they do anything to appease the person naging biktima ng kanilang injustice and fraud? Wala,” Panelo said.
He then praised ABS-CBN CEO Carlo Katigbak for admitting the faults of his own company.
Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said that the government’s decision to file a quo warranto against ABS-CBN is a right move as the broadcasting company allegedly violating the constitution.
In a radio interview, Enrile said that ABS-CBN is now facing a problem of being qualified to have a franchise because of allegedly violating the foreign ownership restriction on mass media in the Constitution.
According to him, even one piece of a share bought by a foreigner to a media company is already against the law.
“Ang problema diyan ay yung kwalipikasyon ng ABS-CBN to have a franchise. Dahil sang-ayon sa ating Saligang-batas, ang mga korporasyon na ang kanilang negosyo ay communication o information, media, hindi pwedeng magkaroon ng kahit isang shares of stock ang banyaga. because it must be fully owned by Filipinos,” said Enrile.
He pointed out that ABS-CBN tried to make a way to get funding from foreigners by selling Philippine Deposit Receipts (PDR).
Enrile said that by issuing PDRs to foreigners, ABS-CBN is now giving a share of their income to other nationalities which are not allowed in the constitution.
“May ginawa silang sistema para makakuha ng kapital na banyaga. Yung tinatawag nilang Philippine Deposit Receipts. Ito yung pera ng banyaga na idedeposito-kuno sa ABS-CBN. Bibigyan ng resibo at doon sa deposito na iyon, gagamitin ng ABS yun para pagandahin yung kanilang mga equipment pero makikinabang sila [foreign investor] sa [dividends], sa kinikita. Hindi interest ang kanilang binabayaran dahil hindi loan yun eh. Hindi pautang kungdi investment doon sa kumpanya. At ang batayan ng pakinabang nung nag-invest ay kung ano kikitain nung kumpanya. May participation sila. Eh hindi pwede yun,” he explained.
“Quo warranto proceeding ang dapat ang gamiting nila, yun ay proseso sa rules of court natin. Yung ginagamit na reglamento sa pagsusuri sa husgado to challenge the qualification of a corporation to do that business.” he added.
Enrile also said that if the Supreme Court favored the petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General, even the Congress cannot save ABS-CBN.
“Kahit na magbigay ng prangkisa ang Kongreso, kapag sinabi ng Korte na hindi qualified ang ABS-CBN dahil sa violation, may foreign ownership, eh balewala yung prangkisa,” he said.
ABS-CBN is facing many issues including their upcoming franchise expiration and also the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida against them.
The Congress said that they’re only going to discuss the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN once that the public are already calm about the issue.
However, some members of the senate are already impatient and now pushing for a hearing to tackle the issues of the television network giant.
The former news director of ABS-CBN claimed that his ex network established a foundation to get kickbacks from its donors.
In a radio interview with the host of ‘Tambayan sa DWIZ’, veteran journalist Jay Sonza recounted how his former broadcasting company formed a foundation after they saw how many people donated on them when they published a story about a person with an abnormal condition.
“Sa totoo lang, walang kahit isang perang lumalabas sa ABS eh. Ang mga itinutulong galing din sa ating lahat na mga donors eh. Bakit ko alam ito? Ganito nagsimula ang foundation, wala naman talagang foundation ang ABS eh. ‘Yung ni-launch namin ang TV Patrol, noon 1989, tatlong programa ang pinagsama namin, news, buhay artista at public service. Nagsimula sa lingkod bayan iyan,” Sonza said.
“Sabi ni Mel (Tiangco), ‘tulungan natin’. Eh di nanawagan. Ang daming nagdonate. Imbes na ang kailangan ay P1,800, ang pumasok na pera ay otsenta mil… Noong dumami ang pera, naisip ng management na gawin ng foundation. Kasi milyones na ang pera,” he added.
According to Sonza, the foundation that ABS-CBN established became successful.
When the Luzon quake happened, the network raised billions of pesos from its subscribers who wanted to help the victims of the calamity.
However, Sonza criticized the move of ABS-CBN after the management allegedly used the money of the foundation the construct additional buildings for the company.
“Kaya noong umalis kami ng ABS, ang pera ng ABS foundation ay bilyones. Puro donation iyan… Pagkatapos nagpatayo sila ng building sa kanto ng Scout Albano at ng Mother Ignacia. Doon ako umangal. Sabi ko ‘Bakit kailangan galing sa foundation?’. Kung kami nga kumukha ng gamot galing sa lingkod bayan ay binabayaran pa namin,” the journalist revealed.
Aside from constructing a building, Sonza also claimed that the broadcasting network used the foundation money to buy vehicles.
According to Sonza, he also wanted the government to investigate the ABS-CBN foundation for their alleged illegal activities or if the network is not hiding something, just reveal their accounting books to the public.
“Kung walang tinatago ang ABS, ilabas nila yung libro, kung ilan yung natanggap nila sa Yolanda, ilan yung tinanggap nila kay Flor Contemplacion, ilang yung natanggap nila sa Mount Pinatubo, kung paano nila ginastos,” he said.
ABS-CBN foundation was originally established in 1989 and known for its three flagship programs: Bantay Bata 163, Sagip Kapamilya and Bantay Kalikasan.
Malacanang Palace downplayed the statements of MOR 101.9 disc jockey Czarina Balba known in her screen name as “DJ Chacha” urging Senator Ronald Dela Rosa to resign after announcing his everlasting loyalty to President Rodrigo Duterte.
During a press conference in Malacanang, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo has been asked about their comments on the criticisms of Balba against Dela Rosa.
As a response, Panelo said that Balba might be the one who wanted to be a bodyguard of President Rodrigo Duterte and just using Dela Rosa to hide her true intentions.
“Baka naman siya ang gustong mag-apply. Hayaan mo nalang siya,” Panelo said.
The DJ suggested several days ago that Dela Rosa should just work for President Duterte as a bodyguard instead of working as a senator.
“I suggest mag-resign na dapat si Senator Bato sa pagiging senador at mag-apply na Bodyguard ng Presidente tutal naman ang loyalty niya ay sa Pangulo at hindi sa taong bayan,” she said.
I suggest mag-resign na dapat si Senator Bato sa pagiging senador at mag-apply na Bodyguard ng Presidente tutal naman ang loyalty niya ay sa Pangulo at hindi sa taong bayan.
Balba catches the attention of Dela Rosa on Wednesday after the latter rejected the DJ’s call for his resignation.
“Mali ba ang maging loyal sa isang (Is it wrong to be loyal to a) duly elected President who is after the welfare of his people and who is willing to confront the oligarchs who have been bastardizing this country for so long ?” Dela Rosa said.
“Sabihan mo si DJ Chacha baka ang alam lang nya ay magchacha, ilang beses kong sinugal ang buhay ko para sa inang bayan just to let her know,” he also said.
In another interview, he also asked who Balba was to order him to leave the Senate.
“Sino ba siya? I was voted upon 19 million Filipinos at siya hindi niya ako ibinoto at yung binoto niya yung mga natalo tapos ngayon pag resign-in niya ko? Who you?” Dela Rosa said.
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, on Tuesday, scored Senate committee on public services chairperson Grace Poe for pushing for the “unconstitutional” hearing of the Senate on the ABS-CBN franchise.
In an interview with the media, Cayetano said that Poe and other Senators are violating the constitution, explaining that the franchise of ABS-CBN should be heard first in the House of Representatives before the Senate.
“Ano ba sabi sa Constitution? Saan ba mag-uumpisa ang prangkisa? Sa House o sa Senate?” said Cayetano.
Cayetano said that he agreed with Senate President Vicente Sotto III’s statement that a hearing in the senate is useless if ever that the Congress decided to reject the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.
“Sangayon ako dun kay Senate President Sotto nung sinabi niyang, ‘Anong ihi-hear mo?’ Kasi ‘pag dineny namin, wala siyang ihi-hear. Kapag in-approve namin, e ‘di may records na siya ng lahat ng nagsabing gusto at hindi, at 300 mahigit ang kongresista,” he said.
He also asked why the senators don’t want to talk about constitutional reforms in the Philippines, but rushing to discuss the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.
“Nagtataka lang ako kay Senator Grace Poe at sa mga senador, kapag chacha ang pinagusapan ayaw nila, wag daw muna pag usapan, pero they feel free to violate the constitution,” he said.
Reports said that the senate hearing on ABS-CBN franchise is going to start next week.
Cayetano then explained that while the 11,000 jobs produced by ABS-CBN are important, the House Speaker pointed out that there are more important bills that should take care of by the Senate.
“Importante ba ang trabaho ng 11,000 employees ng ABSCBN? Oo naman. But is it more important than the hundreds of thousands of jobs that would be generated if the Senate acted quickly on the CITIRA law that Congress has already forwarded to them?” said Cayetano.
He then repeated that Congress should talk about the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN when everyone is already calm.
Cayetano said that they eyeing to discuss the ABS-CBN franchise in May or after the State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte this year.
“I’m hoping talaga na May, but latest talaga is right after SONA (or) first week of August, depende sa sitwasyon natin sa May,” he said.
