Lloyd Saladaga
On Wednesday, April 1, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) through its anti-graft division invited Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto to explain his side on a possible violation of the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act.
The invitation was confirmed by NBI spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin.
In his tweet, Mayor Sotto wondered about the invitation, saying that the city then complied with all directives by the government and that it is not illegal to give an opinion.
“We complied with all directives. Hindi po illegal magbigay ng opinion,” the mayor said.
They're asking for an "explanation on the alleged violation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (e.g. continuous tricycle operation)"
We complied with all directives. Hindi po illegal magbigay ng opinyon.
…at alam kaya nila na March 24 naging batas ang Bayanihan Act? https://t.co/PY4LzZDf8y
— Vico Sotto (@VicoSotto) April 1, 2020
He also added that the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act was passed just last March 24, about a week before he gave his suggestion to use tricycles in Pasig as a transportation alternative amid Luzon’s Enhanced Community Quarantine period.
Bayanihan to Heal As One Act or the Republic Act 11469 is a newly-signed law that gives power to the national government in taking measures to fight against COVID-19.
This move by the NBI sparked furious outrage on Twitter, as people are now sharing their opinions against it with the hashtag #ProtectVicoSotto
Human Rights activist Francis Baraan IV called on everyone to protect the real public servants in this country from the government.
https://twitter.com/MrFrankBaraan/status/1245289456355033088
You’re My Foreignoy Finalist Richard Juan shared his thoughts about being compassionate and that it works.
Maybe you can just ask for compassion @vicosotto; apparently that works. https://t.co/WAvZPyzofZ
— 范鴻志 RICHARD JUAN 홍준 (@richardjuan) April 1, 2020
On the other hand, celebrities are also sharing that support for the Pasig City Mayor. Actor Juan Miguel Severo tweeted: “We are behind you, sir.”
https://twitter.com/TheRainBro/status/1245286839877017600
Indie singer and songwriter Bullet Dumas encouraged the mayor to continue what he can do for the city, tweeting “WE GOTCHU!!! KEEP DOING WHAT YOU’RE DOING!!!”
WE GOTCHU!!! KEEP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING!!!
— Bullet Dumas (@bulletdumas) April 1, 2020
Bela Padilla expressed her disappointment as she sees a man who can stand for others being forced to step down. She tweeted, “Sayang. May taong tumayo na at gumalaw para sa mga tao. Pinapaupo ulit.”
https://twitter.com/padillabela/status/1245300602021621760
Camille Go lauded Vico Sotto for “doing an effective job”, and is now asking the government why Sotto needs to step down for being an effective leader.
Private citizens/sector can only do so much. THIS IS ON YOU, THE GOVERNMENT. You have the funds. You have the means. You were elected to DO YOUR JOB.
And then we have Mayor Vico, who’s actually doing an effective job & you zero in on him coz he’s actually doing a good job.
— Camille Co (@itscamilleco) April 1, 2020
Pia Magalona shared her thoughts that NBI might actually summon him to take over the country’s, presidency, tweeting, “They ougtta summon you to take over as president!”
They ougtta summon you to take over as president!
— Pia Magalona ⁷ (@piamagalona) April 1, 2020
Meanwhile, a comparison was raised between Mayor Vico Sotto and Senator Koko Pimentel as to how the government reacted to their respective issues.
Senator Pimentel was a Person Under Investigation (PUI) for COVID-19 who should have been on self-quarantine but still decided to go outside to buy groceries and to accompany his pregnant wife to the Makati Medical Center.
The senator breached quarantine protocols and could have possibly infected a lot of people when he ventured out.
Angel Locsin said that despite not being a law expert, she thinks that it should be Koko Pimentel who should be summoned by NBI, and not the Pasig City Mayor. She said on Twitter “Hindi ako nag mamarunong sa batas, pero sa opinyon ko, si Koko ang dapat ipatawag at hindi si Vico.”
Hindi ako nag mamarunong sa batas, pero sa opinyon ko, si Koko ang dapat ipatawag at hindi si Vico
— Angel Locsin (@143redangel) April 1, 2020
Janine Gutierrez asked why the mayor got summoned while Senator Koko Pimentel didn’t. In her tweet, she said, “Busy po siya. Bakit hindi nalang si Senator Koko Pimentel ang ipatawag ninyo?”
Busy po siya. Bakit hindi nalang si Senator Koko Pimentel ang ipatawag ninyo? Or yung isang Mayor, marami daw po kasi naghahanap sakanya. https://t.co/kcNdSvd5Qw
— nini (@janinegutierrez) April 1, 2020
Pinoy Big Brother star Kim Chiu was simply furious with the unfair treatment.
“Like what?????!!!! Yoko na!!!! Ang hirap sa ph govt, pag gumawa ka ng mabuti sa kapwa mas nakakataas ang makakabangga mo, pag gumawa ka ng hindi mabuti kaming mga netizens lang ang kalaban mo at ang nakakataas ay 🤐🤐🤐🤐”
https://twitter.com/prinsesachinita/status/1245288343031537665
Apparently, the government plans on using the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act to go after Sotto. However, the bill was passed on March 24, several days after Pasig’s tricycle proposal and cannot be used to retroactively find a party guilty of violating it.
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