Netizens slam Ejercito, Angara over comments on ‘armchair experts’

Senators JV Ejercito and Sonny Angara drew flak over their social media posts over the weekend on the supposed rise of “armchair experts” following President Rodrigo Duterte’s martial law declaration in Mindanao.

On Saturday, Ejercito wrote on his Twitter account: “Dumami ang mga constitutionalists and security and defense experts dito sa Pinas nitong mga nakaraang mga araw.”

Angara replied to his colleague, saying “hehe. A nation of armchair experts,” to which Ejercito said “Exactly bro!”

Some netizens called out the two senators, saying the public also have the right to voice their opinion.

A post by Ruben Carranza, former Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) commissioner, said: “From my armchair & expertise in fighting plunderers & dictators, I see sons who're sitting where they are thanks to plunder & dictatorship.” The post has since gone viral.

@sonnyangara @jvejercito From my armchair & expertise in fighting plunderers & dictators, I see sons who're sitting where they are thanks to plunder & dictatorship.

— Ruben Carranza (@RCarranza_) May 27, 2017

Ejercito is the son of former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, while Angara is the son of former senator Edgardo Angara.

In another post, Ejercito said he was clearly misinterpreted.

“Huwaw! Di ata na gets, ang ibig sabihin ko ay ang daming lumalabas sa mga interviews na ‘experts.’ Have always encouraged crowd sourcing,” he said.

Actress Agot Isidro also reacted to the senators’ conversation, saying: “Critical thinking badly needed these days. Yes, even on armchairs. Because it's definitely not happening anywhere in the House.”

In the thread with Isidro, Angara explained that he meant to put “lot” instead of the word “nation.” “A mistake,” he said.

@_tapsilog @jvejercito @agot_isidro should've put " lot " instead of word "nation". A mistake

— Sonny Angara (@sonnyangara) May 28, 2017

Angara and Ejercito are both part of the so-called “seatmates bloc,” along with Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Miguel Zubiri, and Joel Villanueva. —ALG, GMA News