The Uniteam led by Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr and Sarah Duterte-Carpio tandem, held its rally at the Ninoy Aquino monument on April 2 in Tarlac.
The netizens called out the rally participants as disrespectful of Ninoy Aquino’s statue is concealed by a tent.
In a tweet, journalist Lian Buan described how the loyalist of Bongbong Marcos (LBM} have disrespected the act. The late Senator Ninoy Aquino’s srarue got covered by a tent. the main stage is erected the said statue.
The main stage of the Tarlac City Plazuela for the Uniteam event fronts the monument of the late Senator Ninoy Aquino, but he has been covered by a tent so that he is not seen from the stage. pic.twitter.com/Ra8yxu4CZg
— Lian Buan (@lianbuan) April 2, 2022
Netizens rallied behind the issue and expressed their utter disappointment as they cry for ‘disrespect’ because the ‘Ninoy Aquino’ statue was purposely hidden.
One netizen called out the blatant showing of disrespect in Tarlac.
https://twitter.com/ibanaginthecity/status/1510054640133763077
Another netizen added that there is a special place in hell for disrespectful people like the traditional politician Cristy Angeles.
May espesyal na lugar sa impyerno para sa mga taong bastos at salaula katulad ni Tarlac Trapo Cristy Angeles.
📸; @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/pPn9vs0NEP
— supernegatrona AKA pink 5 (@supernegatrona) April 2, 2022
A lot of netizens continued their criticisms as they asked if the Filipino is worth dying for, their reaction of not being surprised and calling out the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to take an action.
Ninoy Aquino monument in Tarlac. Is the Filipino really worth dying for? pic.twitter.com/gilHyhbFOT
— Gerry Cacanindin (@GerryCacanindin) April 2, 2022
How disrespectful. But are we surprised? https://t.co/AfJPdsNG3z
— Mara Cepeda (@maracepeda) April 2, 2022
Bastos! I'm calling on the NHCP to censure the dictator's son & the organizers of this event. https://t.co/6QylGgdmvd
— Jerry B. Grácio (@JerryGracio) April 2, 2022
One netizen lamented that the people can debate all they want if the late Sen. Aquino is really a national hero but we can’t disagree that he was killed in the Marcos regime and the disrespectful treatment shown by Loyalists of Bongbong Marcos (LBM) to his statue is a disrespect to all victims killed in the dictatorship regime.
Pwede kayo magdebate buong araw kung bayani ba si Ninoy para sa inyo. Pero alam natin ang nangyari. Ikinulong, hinatulan, at pinatay siya ng rehimeng Marcos. Para tratuhin ng mga loyalista ni FM Jr ang rebulto niya nang ganito ay pambabastos sa lahat ng mga pinatay ng diktadura. pic.twitter.com/eDgjDzJGV0
— karl 🇵🇸 #MarcosMamamatayTao (@eicvsfascism) April 2, 2022
The anger of the netizens was directed to the UniTeam for their audacity and brand of disrespect as they expressed their opinions.
Grabe. The audacity na bastusin ang isang Tarlakenyo sa mismong bayan niya habang humihingi ng supporta mula sa mga Tarlakenyo. https://t.co/ML6CqTtzBw
— RJ Naguit 🌹 (@raymond_naguit) April 2, 2022
“Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.” —John Adams #QOTD pic.twitter.com/0ZTfiKvZJY
— Manuel L. Quezon III (@mlq3) April 2, 2022
https://twitter.com/earnestzabala/status/1510063122446696450
Ano nga ba maasahan nyo sa #Unithieves magnanakaw na mga bastos pa. https://t.co/lA7OjJMJxD
— Roque Santos (@roxsantos) April 2, 2022
This is too much. Ang bastos grabe. Is this the brand of leadership you guys want? Hay https://t.co/rvJ4xG3VGP
— JPO (@jpocariz) April 2, 2022
Not that I endorse the politics of the Aquinos or the LP, but it's sobering to see the image of a man who played a big part in the restoration of democracy in the Philippines be bastardized like this, AND in HIS home province as well – MY home province…
We're better than this. https://t.co/0PFhtam22S
— Angelo Basco (@aq_si_basco) April 2, 2022
Iba din si Mayor Cristy ng Tarlac. Apaka walang galang. 🙄🙄🙄 https://t.co/leLQ2S8vHp
— Jover Laurio (@PinoyAkoBlog) April 2, 2022
As the issue dragged on and made rounds on social media, one netizen hoped that the late senator’s daughter and Queen of All Media, Kris Aquino, see the post and be aware of the issue.
Someone make sure Kris Aquino sees this https://t.co/1nIEwIYsS2
— Anj + 15,035,772 (@anjpessumal) April 2, 2022
The netizens’ attention was also geared towards Tarlac City Mayor Cristy Angeles who celebrated after their campaign rally at the Tarlac City Plazuela and pleaded for Filipinos to unite.
Mayor Angeles, a former supporter of presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo, also reiterated to her constituents the idea of moving on. This, despite Tarlac being the home province of the Aquino clan.
'TAPOS NA 'YUNG NAKARAAN.'
Telling her constituents that it is “time to move on”, the mayor of Tarlac City in Tarlac, the home province of the Aquino clan—has declared her support for the presidential bid of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.https://t.co/wDW2esyhlR pic.twitter.com/UaoFM3Gv6k
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 2, 2022
One netizen was quick to counter by highlighting that true forgiveness and healing lie in facing the past, correcting the injustices, and acknowledging the pain of the victims.
“Forgiveness and healing” by covering up the uncomfortable parts of our Past? True healing is when you face up to it, rectify the injustice done, & acknowledge the pain of others.
Kahit na hindi ka naniniwala sa kabayanihan niya…
Pinatay. Si. Ninoy.
Bastos ka Cristy Angeles. https://t.co/LhUq6UUsoZ
— Kristoffer Pasion (@indiohistorian) April 2, 2022
Later as the campaign moved forward, the provincial governor of Tarlac, Gov. Susan Yap endorsed the BBM-Sarah tandem and revealed the said endorsement as a personal decision.
LOOK: In Aquino clan’s home province of Tarlac, the tandem of Bongbong Marcos Jr. and Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio secures the backing of Gov. Susan Yap. She says her endorsement is her personal decision and not of her party, the Nationalist People’s Coalition. | @NAMercadoINQ pic.twitter.com/GlaJQDk5Zg
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 2, 2022
When asked about the blocking of the monument, Gov. Yap said that it should have not been done that way and there should be respect given.