Bayani Agbayani admits gov’t paid for his flight to attend Duterte’s Tokyo visit

Amid speculations and conflicting statements, actor Bayani Agbayani admitted that the government paid for his flight to Japan, where President Rodrigo Duterte held a four-day working visit.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier said that the celebrities who went to Tokyo were there on their own accord.

Agbayani, who went there with his wife Lenlen, stressed that his flight was an economy seat and that he shouldered Lenlen's expenses.

"Ang deal is magpapasaya ng mga kababayan natin, Pilipino community sa ibang bansa. Eto po ay dapat talaga na gastusan ng kung sinong magdadala samin dun. Hindi naman pwede na kami parin," he said at a press conference about his upcoming film "Feelennial" with AiAi delas Alas.

"Ang mahalaga po nito, economy kami, ako ang nagbayad sa asawa ko dahil isinama ko," he said.

Agbayani also said that he performed for the Pinoy community there without a talent fee.

"Hindi niyo po kasi alam kung magkano yung binabayad samin kapag nagaabroad kami, eto po libre. Walang bayad kahit singko," he said.

AiAi backed Agbayani, saying that celebrities go abroad to make Filipinos there happy.

"Matutuwa naman yung mga kababayan natin sa ibang bansa na mapapanood kami ng libre na nandun kami," she said.

The comedy queen wasn't in the controversial Japan trip, but she revealed that she was asked by Senator-elect Bong Go to go to victims of a fire instead.

"Pinapapunta ako ni senator sa mga nasunugan kaya lang hindi ako libre," she said.

"Parati akong iniinvite talaga ni Senator," she added.

Agbayani and AiAi urged critics to support the government instead of stirring up controversies.

"Kaysa mambash tayo, tulungan natin yung gobyerno natin nang umasenso na po ang ating bansa," Agbayani said.

AiAi called to support not just the current president but whoever takes office in the future.

"Tulungan natin kung sino man yung nakaupo, kasi hindi naman uunlad yung bansa natin kung parati tayong magaaway, maglalaban. Pag nandiyan na suportahan natin ang Presidente," she said.

Agbayani, Philip Salvador, Rodjun Cruz, and Michael Pangilinan were among the celebrities who went to Japan. — MDM, GMA News