Benjamin Alves on criticizing public servants: 'Karapatan natin 'yun bilang Pinoy'

Benjamin Alves believes that it is the right of Filipinos to criticize their leaders. 

In Aubrey Carampel's report on "24 Oras" Thursday, the Kapuso actor shared that he is compelled to stand with the people because he is an artist who benefits from the support of the public. 

"I have to stand with them and say something lalo na 'pag nakikita ko directly ang epekto ng nangyayari sa 'tin. For the people that are — 'yung lumalaban nang patas, kailangan talaga nating ipaglaban sila," he said. 

Benjamin was among the celebrities who ran against corruption in Makati on Sunday, September 21, alongside Dingdong Dantes and Kim Atienza, among others. 

The runners donned black tank tops that called for the end of corruption, as well as accountability from the government. 

The run was held while protest rallies were also taking place in Manila and Quezon City, triggered by the alleged anomalous flood control projects currently being probed in Congress and the Senate.

Benjamin is also starring in "Quezon," the third installment of TBA Studios' Bayaniverse that is set to be released on October 15. Its release, per the report, comes at a timely moment  

"Maging critic tayo sa mga leaders natin kasi talagang  they are public servants, so they have to serve us. Dapat ganun tayo, hindi tayo nadadala sa konting ayuda, konting tuwa. Karapatan natin 'yun bilang Pinoy na kini-criticize nila," he said. 

"Quezon" will follow the life of Manuel L. Quezon, a lawyer and a soldier who became the President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from 1935 to 1944, highlighting his tumultuous presidential campaign against Emilio Aguinaldo.

He plays the role of a younger version of Quezon in the film. 

Benjamin also currently stars in "Akusada" alongside Andrea Torres. It airs Mondays to Fridays at 4;05 p.m. on GMA Afternoon Prime. 

—CDC, GMA Integrated News