PH celebrities plead to government to give more aid to Filipinos
Philippine celebrities are pleading with the government to provide more aid to its constituents after President Rodrigo Duterte asked the public to refrain from challenging authorities amid the uncertainty brought about by enhanced community quarantine.
During his nation's address, President Rodrigo Duterte also warned leftists against staging riots during the month-long hiatus.
He remarked, “Remember kayong mga left, you are not the government. Naintindihan niyo 'yan? Hindi kayo nasa gobyerno and you cannot be part of what you are planning to do for the nation.
“Huwag ninyo akong takutin ng gulo-gulo kasi kung gusto talaga ninyo ng gulo, guguluhin natin ang bayan natin tutal wala pa namang pagkain. Kung gusto niyo nung barilan, eh 'di sige. Guso ninyo ng pukpukan, sige. I will not hesitate.”
This led a few celebrities to ask the government to focus their efforts on helping Filipinos who are in need.
“Pagkain ang kailangan at hinahanap nila,” actress Winwyn Marquez tweeted. “Hindi nila gusto ng giyera o away, hindi baril at bala… Tulong hindi kulong,” paired with a sad emoji.
Actor and YouTuber Richard Juan also expressed his dismay after a video circulating online involving residents of Sitio San Roque in Quezon City gathered to ask for relief goods that they had yet to receive.
“Nasaan na 'yung compassion?? Gutom lang mga tao!!!” he wrote.
Actress KC Concepcion wasn't so happy about the announcement either. “Patayan agad agad ang pinagusapan? Ano ba 'yan. 'Di ba puwedeng… pan de sal, pansit, bitamina na lang?”
Similarly, KC's sister, Frankie Pangilinan shared her two cents over the issue on Twitter.
She wrote, “I might be guilty of killing off characters but let it be known please that I truly believe no one ever has the right to take a life no matter what the circumstance.
“Being able to threaten to do so just shows such a disregard for the fundamental value of humanity.
“Good leadership inspires us to live, it should never threaten our lives.”
“Tonight I do not know what to say anymore. My prayers for the first time in my life have turned blank. I will wait for God's answer instead,” wrote Idol sa Kusina host Chynna Ortaleza.
Influencer Camille Co kept it straight and simple by urging the government to create plans to solve problems.
“Plans, not threats, solve problems,” she tweeted.
She then added, “Mahirap maghintay kapag ilang araw nang walang makain ang buong pamilya mo. Mahirap maghintay kapag hindi malinaw ang plano. Mahirap maghintay sa wala.”
During the address, Duterte also has repeatedly assured the public that relief goods were forthcoming even if it is delayed.
“Ang pera, dadating. Ang pagkain dadating. Huwag lang kayong magulo para smooth. Do not intimidate the government.
“Do not challenge the government. Magtiis na lang siguro kayo ng delayed delivery pero dadating 'yan.
“Hindi kayo mamatay sa gutom,” the President said.
The entire Luzon has been on an enhanced community quarantine since March 17. As of writing, the rising cases of coronavirus patients continue to spike. With the community quarantine in effect, this means businesses and mass transportation have been temporarily suspended.
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