Netizens were all out in voicing their reactions to the obvious double standard in the government’s implementation of their COVID-19 guidelines.
According to the government, parties and family celebrations should be limited to 10 persons only. This is to avoid possible transmission of the virus that will again cause the spike in COVID-19 cases.
However, many netizens were quick to point out the selective implementation of their COVID-19 policies.
Netizens particularly used Sen. Manny Pacquiao’s birthday party as an example. Pacquiao the newly installed President of the administration party PDP-Laban and known Duterte supporter was called out by the netizens for obviously violating the government guidelines of parties. Given his stature and his known political plans in the future, netizens expected the Senator to lead by example, however, power may have gotten the best of him.
Netizens also called out the glaring disparity in apprehending violators of the COVID-19 protocols between ordinary citizens and those rich and influentials like the Pacquiaos.
Netizen @zekemartinx directed a question to PNP Chief and also known protocol violator Debold Sinas on why are the politicians and admin allied seemed exempted from the rule.
“Akala ko ba bawal ang party? So exempted kapag mayaman? May ganun, Debold sinas?”
https://twitter.com/zekemartinx/status/1339870519529631744
@iamannanayme shares the same sentiment, questioning why Pacquiao was allowed to have a big party when the government keeps on insisting to ordinary people that parties are not allowed.
“akala ko ba bawal magparty?! diba may inaresto a few days ago dahil nagpaparty sa binyag? bakit ito nakakalusot?”
akala ko ba bawal magparty?! diba may inaresto a few days ago dahil nagpaparty sa binyag? bakit ito nakakalusot?
— annalim (@iamannanyme) December 19, 2020
Another netizen @mariatwitsta also pointed to the PNP chief Sinas about Pacquiao’s violations. However, she realized Pacquiao was the violator thus no apprehensions expected.
“Uy may violator nanaman. Bawal daw ang party sabi ni Sinas ay si Pacquiao pala yan kaya pala hindi pwede hulihin.”
Uy may violator nanaman. Bawal daw ang party sabi ni Sinas ay si Pacquiao pala yan kaya pala hindi pwede hulihin. https://t.co/QwgZbNlPwx
— Maria (@Mariatwitsta) December 18, 2020
@mannymanolski on the other hand directly slammed Pacquiao for violating COVID-19 protocol saying this is the kind of politician we have in the country, lawbreakers.
“Yan ang mambabatas ng Pilipinas! Walang paki sa batas. At ang nagpapatupad ng batas nganga na lang! Paano na lang ang kinabukasan ng Pilipinas?”
Yan ang mambabatas ng Pilipinas! Walang paki sa batas. At ang nagpapatupad ng batas nganga na lang! Paano na lang ang kinabukasan ng Pilipinas?
— mannymannz (@mannymanolski) December 19, 2020
Netizen @wawam then shared a side by side screenshot of news about ordinary citizens arrested for attending a baptism party while Pacquiao got away scot-free on his birthday celebration party.
“citizens arrested for having a party and breaking quarantine protocols. manny pacquaio holds a party and breaking quarantine protocols. @pnppio to arrest pacquiao and his guests?”
citizens arrested for having a party and breaking quarantine protocols.
manny pacquaio holds a party and breaking quarantine protocols. @pnppio to arrest pacquiao and his guests? pic.twitter.com/wUK3bUVcLt
— What A Waste of Ad Money (@wawam) December 18, 2020
Here are other reactions from the netizens regarding Pacquiao’s birthday celebration quarantine violation.
“Akala ko ba bawal ang parties of any kind. And strict compliance sa lahat. Like Manny Pacquiao just had a grand celebration. Like wtf.” @notisaiahjohn
Akala ko ba bawal ang parties of any kind. And strict compliance sa lahat. Like Manny Pacquiao just had a grand celebration. Like wtf.
— Isaiah Rosales (@notisaiahjohn) December 18, 2020
“Happy 42nd birthday, Manny Pacquiao! Pero teka, akala ko ba bawal parties as per Sinas? Also…mukha bang may Face masks and Face shields lahat? Mukha rin ba silang galing sa iisang household? So pra lang sa common people ang batas?” @christianomics
Happy 42nd birthday, Manny Pacquiao!
Pero teka, akala ko ba bawal parties as per Sinas? Also…mukha bang may Face masks and Face shields lahat? Mukha rin ba silang galing sa iisang household?
So pra lang sa common people ang batas? pic.twitter.com/fUZjinhsN2
— Xtianomics #AfroditeSpeaks (@Christianomics) December 19, 2020
“Lol yung 42nd birthday party ni Pacquiao. Sorry na lang daw sa mga ordinaryong mamamayan tulad natin”, @omuiriceweab
Lol yung 42nd birthday party ni Pacquiao. Sorry na lang daw sa mga ordinaryong mamamayan tulad natin
— Levi Ackerman (@omuriceweab) December 18, 2020
“exempted talaga kapag sa panig ni dutae.. exempted talaga kapag mayaman..” @wingedguy1
exempted talaga kapag sa panig ni dutae..
exempted talaga kapag mayaman..— wingedman (@Wingedguy1) December 18, 2020
“9 of 14 violating the rules in this picture alone” sharing pics of those people from the party by @Dutertewatchdog.
9 of 14 violating the rules in this picture alone pic.twitter.com/3MtwZ5Gdhb
— Duterte Watchdog presents: Sic semper tyrannis (@DuterteWatchdog) December 19, 2020
“I sacrificed quality time with my family even on special occasions because i want to be careful for them. And then these government officials do these “mañanitas”. Tell me, @MannyPacquiao,@pnppio, tama po ba ito?” @randombliss.
https://twitter.com/RandomBlisss/status/1340200431083945985
“This is Hypocrisy at it’s Finest. Are they Saying Only Those in Gov’t Position are allowed to Have Gatherings without the feared of Getting Arrested by the PNP.. While the rest of the Public, The Poor and the Middle Class should Fear PNP Chief ‘Mañanita’ Sinas Warning?” @DarkSpyder21.
This is Hypocrisy at it's Finest. Are they Saying Only Those in Gov't Position are allowed to Have Gatherings without the feared of Getting Arrested by the PNP.. While the rest of the Public, The Poor and the Middle Class should Fear PNP Chief 'Mañanita' Sinas Warning?
— Black Vanguard (@DarkSpyder21) December 20, 2020
“Akala ko ba bawal ang party!? Dba according to Sinas? Anong anyare? So Pwede ? Ano ba ang policy at protocol dito? Left and right, may mga party na ah.. Paki- klaro nga. May Covid pa eh, dba?” @officiallyTJ04.
Akala ko ba bawal ang party!? Dba according to Sinas? Anong anyare? So Pwede ? Ano ba ang policy at protocol dito?
Left and right, may mga party na ah.. Paki- klaro nga.
May Covid pa eh, dba?— Filipina @Heart (@officiallyTJ04) December 18, 2020
