Events organizer and celebrity Tim Yap‘s birthday in Baguio City on January 17 earned him criticism for disregarding quarantine protocol. On January 19, Yap and company paid a fine for their violation.
The amount that Yap paid for failing to wear his mask was only P1,500 which KC Concepcion, one of Yap’s guests also paid.
Meanwhile, Baguio City mayor Benjamin Magalong, also an attendee of Yap, resigned after the incident. His wife Arlene, paid P1,000 for being photographed without a mask.
Yap and company have violated city ordinance No. 45 series of 2020 which orders individuals to wear masks in public places and failure to do so shall be met with punishment.
The Camp John Hay Manor, where the event took place, was slapped with a P9,000 fine for failing to impose quarantine regulations at the gathering.
However, netizens cried afoul about the amount that the violators were ordered to pay. On Twitter, they aired their disappointment knowing that ordinary citizens do not enjoy the same treatment as these celebrities.
Twitter personality @krizzy_kalerqui noted the difference between the rich and the poor when it comes to violations. Those with money and influence can get away with a light fine. Meanwhile, those who are striving to survive get jail time, fines, and even a beating.
Rich and influential patrygoers = (loose change) fines
Starving jeepney drivers protesting on sidewalks . Vendors trying to make a living = jail + fines (or even punched and kicked)
TANGINA NYO
https://t.co/0Asvsjig6f
— 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐲 (@krizzy_kalerqui) January 29, 2021
For netizen @merylldr, people with power and money are inconsiderate knowing that they have the resources to get treated ASAP. Meanwhile, most of Filipinos are living to survive another day.
In addition, Baguio now has been reported to have 121 new Covid-19 cases after the incident in The Manor. On Wednesday, January 27, the Health Department even stated that Baguio is among the two cities with the highest Covid cases.
Considering the rise of infected people in the city should mean that a heavier fine should be imposed for endangering other people.
https://twitter.com/merylldr/status/1355108515103211523
Netizen @k_claridad pointed the obvious: that the fines imposed on Yap and company were mere change. They definitely should be given the fine as ordinary violators. The netizen also stated that violators such as Yap have the resources to follow the quarantine protocol. However, not all Filipinos enjoy the same life as them.
1,500 pesos is nothing to these irresponsible, privileged people. They who can afford to stay home & hospital bills if they get CoViD. So unlike the ordinary Filipino who has no choice but to go out to stay alive! https://t.co/QekuevNtlP
— Leni Kiko All The Way! (@k_claridad) January 29, 2021
@sitomasso compared the punishment of the influential and the ordinary people. Fines were given to those with power and money while to the poor, fines and humiliation. It can be recalled that a video went viral when violators were holed up in a basketball court after they were caught not wearing face masks.
Ay multa lang? Bakit 'yung iba pinapahiya, binibilad sa araw, kinakaladkad, inaaresto, etc.
Dapat same rin! #TimYapKaladkarinNgKabayo https://t.co/m8jzgY3Bah
— Tomasso (@sitomasso) January 29, 2021
@joketerte also questioned the amount which Yap and company were ordered to pay. He cited Elmer Cordero, a 72-year-old jeepney driver who was jailed for 6 days and fined P3,000.
Tim Yap and Co 1500 fine each lang?
Elmer Cordero, 72 years old, 6 days in jail, the drivers were able to post bail worth P3,000.
FAIR BA? Mga Gago! pic.twitter.com/2APRhXaNcv
— Joketerte (@joketerte30) January 29, 2021
The unfair reality when the violators involved were influential and with money. However, when the common Filipino people violate the rules, the harshest treatment is imposed. Just like last year’s incident where six jeepney drivers in Caloocan were apprehended. They were each given a P3,000 fine for failing to abide by the health protocols. This is after they conducted a protest against the government’s directive of not letting them work.
This was also pointed out by netizen @ArbetBernado. The double standard of the justice system during this Duterte’s administration.
Remember Piston 6?
Ganyan ang hustisya sa pamumuno ni Duterte. Pag mayaman, malakas sa may kapangyarihan, at may mataas na katungkulan, tapik sa kamay lang. Pag mahirap, kulong, bugbog, o patay.
Hindi patas eh. Gaguhan. https://t.co/LtR9lTDD6s
— Ar brrrt brrrt Czarsaparilla Bernardo (@ArbetBernardo) January 29, 2021
Blogger Tonyo Cruz also shared the same sentiment as he also recalled the jeepney drivers who faced charges for conducting mass gathering in relation to their protest. The blogger also wondered if there are special rules for the wealthy such as Yap and company.
Wow, remember the poor PISTON drivers of Caloocan? Their bail was P3,000 each, and they faced charges.
Are there special rules for the spoiled and wealthy? #DoubleStandard https://t.co/CrmU2naF71 pic.twitter.com/ZjCJK9I52c
— Tonyo Cruz (@tonyocruz) January 29, 2021
Moreover, Raymond Gutierrez had a restaurant in BGC shut down for violating protocols. This resulted in its employees losing their jobs amidst the pandemic. Meanwhile, The Manor only paid a fine of P9,000. Is it because the former mayor of Baguio City was involved?
Maybe justice in the Philippines is definitely just for the rich and powerful.
