President Rodrigo Duterte clarified that he had nothing to do with the ongoing investigation of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto over alleged violations of the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” during his televised address on Friday, April 3.
The Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act was enacted on March 24, 2020, granting the president special powers to combat the novel coronavirus 2019 pandemic that has already claimed lives. Included in his power is to ensure that all local officials follow the national guidelines.
Duterte admitted that he was in charge of setting the policy however, it’s up to agencies like the NBI to implement things.
The president said, “Isang beses lang ako nagsalita, nu’ng nag-proclaim ako ng emergency,” Duterte said. “Wala akong pakialam sa operation ng NBI.”
“Trabaho ng pulis ‘yan. Wala na akong pakialam,” he added.
This, after the NBI, summoned the Pasig City Mayor for his supposed violation of quarantine rules imposed by Duterte as he initially allowed tricycles to still operate in Pasig City.
Sotto denied the allegation and pointed out that he complied with all the national government policies on the coronavirus outbreak including the ban of tricycle operations even before the law has been implemented.
Meanwhile, senators condemned the NBI for calling out Sotto who is performing his duty well to give the best for his constituents amid the coronavirus crisis.
Senate Leader Tito Sotto III defended his nephew by saying, “Laws are never retroactive if detrimental to any accused.”
Opposition Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan also slammed the agency and pointed out that the “improvised tricycles” were used in Pasig before March 18, six days before the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act was signed and enacted.
Netizens and big celebrities alike also criticized the NBI for summoning Sotto who is only doing his job as a Mayor while ignoring Senator Koko Pimentel’s breach of quarantine protocol when he accompanied his pregnant wife to Makati Medical Center while he was positive for COVID-19, putting the health and safety of those he came in contact with in possible danger.
Together, they sought to protect the Pasig City Mayor, making the hashtag #ProtectVicoSotto a trending topic on Twitter Philippines.
Below are some of their reactions:
This isnt just about protecting a mayor anymore, it means protecting what Vico has shown us in the little time he's been Mayor— that the people are more important than self-interest and that there's still so much hope for our country. #ProtectVico
— Moira Dela Torre (@moiradelatorre) April 1, 2020
Tanginang veerus yan #OUSTDUTERTE
— Saab (@saabmagalona) April 1, 2020
Hello senator Koko Pimentel, how do you sleep when you lie to us? Chaaaaar not char…
— Chienna Filomeno (@ChieFilomeno) April 1, 2020
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
https://twitter.com/loyoung/status/1245330763228172288
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
— JANINE (@janinegutierrez) April 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/prinsesachinita/status/1245288343031537665
positive na sukang suka na sa government. good people are outnumbered.
— Maris Racal (@MissMarisRacal) April 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/miriamgilles19/status/1245319388045041669
Kung sino pa ang nag lilingkod ng tapat at totoong may pag mamahal sa kapwa yun pa talaga ang igigiit. Mas maraming walang hiya dyan. Yun ang istorbohohin nyo. Maging makatarungan naman. #ProtectVicoAtAllCost
— karla estrada (@Estrada21Karla) April 1, 2020
You have got to be kidding. Sa tindi ng problema sa #covid19… eto ang pinagkakaabalahan ninyo? Marami ang namamatay. Marami ang gutom. Focus on the real problem. Let the Mayor do his job. https://t.co/eB7ZvHTPxF
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) April 1, 2020
