Several social media personalities shared how difficult it is to defend known DDS and Marcos Jr apologist Sass Sasot.
Sasot was at the center of controversy following an unfortunate event at the graduation rights of the Southern Philippines Institute of Science and Technology (SPIST).
Sassot got invited as the guest speaker at the SPIST’s graduation ceremony held at the Church of God, Dasmarinas Cavite on Friday, June 3.
During her speech, Sassot was abruptly cut-off when church workers decided to turn off the lights and microphone in the auditorium. The ceremony didn’t proceed as planned and got cut off abruptly.
While many sympathized with Sasot for what the Church did to her, some netizens and social media personalities said it is quite difficult to defend Sasot given the reputation she has.
According to talent-manager-host Ogie Diaz, how can you defend a known fake news peddler?
“Oo, tama. Hilig pa sa fake news, so paano mo ipagtatanggol?”
https://twitter.com/ogiediaz/status/1533320966138318848
Diaz’s tweet was in reaction to @SidManila’s tweet saying it was digital karma for Sasot after the many women she disrespected and red-tagged.
“May transgender daw na nabastos. Naghahanap daw ng suporta galing sa LGBTQIA community. Tanong lang, ilang kababaihan na ang binastos ng transgender na ito? At ni-red tag pa daw niya ang mga kakampink sa abroad? Fyi. Kung ano ang itinanim, siyang aanihin. Respect begets respect.”
Media practitioner and advocate Prof. Danilo Arao also shared his take on the issue.
According to Arao, getting fake news peddler and red-tagger to speak to young graduates is patently unacceptable. He also tagged the issue as a political smokescreen.
“ALL THAT SASSY SMOKESCREEN: At a graduation ceremony, the commencement speaker should inspire the fresh graduates. This explains why getting “fake news” peddlers and red-taggers in shaping young minds is patently unacceptable. Let’s not lose sight of the most fundamental issue.”
ALL THAT SASSY SMOKESCREEN: At a graduation ceremony, the commencement speaker should inspire the fresh graduates. This explains why getting "fake news" peddlers and red-taggers in shaping young minds is patently unacceptable. Let's not lose sight of the most fundamental issue.
— Danilo Arao (@dannyarao) June 4, 2022
Former Provincial Information Officer of Dinagat Island Jeff Crisostomo said that while what they did to Sassot was very wrong, it seemed illogical that some Marcos Jr supporters defending Sasot are calling on Kakampinks to [also] defend her.
According to him, they’ve chosen candidate, who’s to be in power now, why pass the responsibility of fighting for Sassot’s right to the losing team.
“Mali ang ginawa kay Sass. Pero wait, kayo ang nasa kapangyarihan, ‘di ba? Ipakita ninyo na nakikinig sa inyo ang Pangulo ninyo. Ask BBM to support the SOGIE Equality Bill. Bakit ‘yung burden ay ipapasa ninyo sa aming mga lotlot and friends? Go, mga BBM beks. Kaya ninyo ‘yan! Woo!”
Mali ang ginawa kay Sass. Pero wait, kayo ang nasa kapangyarihan, 'di ba? Ipakita ninyo na nakikinig sa inyo ang Pangulo ninyo. Ask BBM to support the SOGIE Equality Bill. Bakit 'yung burden ay ipapasa ninyo sa aming mga lotlot and friends? Go, mga BBM beks. Kaya ninyo 'yan! Woo! https://t.co/mBwoh6VDTb
— Mamshie Jeff Crisostomo (@jeffcrisostomo) June 4, 2022
Crisostomo’s tweet was in reaction to a netizen and Marcos Jr supporter who asked for Kakampinks to defend Sasot given Kakampinks advocacy for LGBTQ rights.
Gerry Cacanindin also questioned Marcos Jr’s supporters, who are passing the buck on Kakampinks to defend Sasot.
In his tweet, he said it’s quite problematic to defend someone who has been maligning innocent people and is unapologetic in spreading fake news.
“Kakampinks have been defending EJK and Martial Law victims, political detainees, victims of red-tagging. Tapos yung ang daming siniraang inosenteng tao, idefend daw dahil pinatayan ng kuryente? While I find that act uncalled for, maybe yung 31M naman ang maging “pa-woke”?”
Kakampinks have been defending EJK and Martial Law victims, political detainees, victims of red-tagging. Tapos yung ang daming siniraang inosenteng tao, idefend daw dahil pinatayan ng kuryente? While I find that act uncalled for, maybe yung 31M naman ang maging “pa-woke”?
— Gerry Cacanindin (@GerryCacanindin) June 5, 2022
@simply_clinton shared the same sentiment saying it is not an issue of Sassot being an LGBT or a Marcos Jr supporter, the main issue is Sassot’s reputation in spreading fake news, and maligning other people even fellow members of the LGBTQ community.
“Tanggalin natin yong puntong pinatayan ng ilaw at mic… sa ganyang asta, ugali at pananalita, gaganahan kang tulungan ang well-mannered na yan? Hindi issue na bbm supporter siya. Issue yong kanyang katauhan.”
Tanggalin natin yong puntong pinatayan ng ilaw at mic… sa ganyang asta, ugali at pananalita, gaganahan kang tulungan ang well-mannered na yan?
Hindi issue na bbm supporter siya. Issue yong kanyang katauhan. pic.twitter.com/MGFxPEZ4MD— simply_clinton (@Simply_Clinton) June 5, 2022
@DocGorz meanwhile slammed Sassot for politicizing the issue. He said, the incident was nothing but basic breach of guidelines set by the property owner Church of God.
According to him, the school was given a set of rules prior to the event, but the school may have intentionally or unintentionally defied the Church’s policy.
“Pinulitika ni Sass ang issue. Basic lang naman yon, nagbigay ng guidelines ang COG, they have to follow. Also lets take into consideration na that was a private property. Their place, their policies. They were given an option. At wala sa option ang paglabag sa policy ng venue”
Pinulitika ni Sass ang issue.
Basic lang naman yon, nagbigay ng guidelines ang COG, they have to follow.
Also lets take into consideration na that was a private property. Their place, their policies.
They were given an option. At wala sa option ang paglabag sa policy ng venue
— Doc Gorz (@DocGorz) June 4, 2022
According to the official statement of the Church of God issued by its Senior Pastor Bishop Anthony Velasco on Saturday, June 4, the guidelines they set weren’t respected by the school officials thus the unfortunate event.
In the statement, Bishop Velasco listed 3 conditions for them to allow the use of their church premises. And part of its conditions is that they would “Not Allow LGBTQ to use their podium or ministry pulpit.” and it shouldn’t be used for political endorsements.
Velasco also mentioned in the statement that they’ve already relayed to the school officials what will happen if they did not follow the conditions they set. But still the school opted not to comply with the set conditions thus they have no choice but the cut of the lights and sounds system.
Whoever that Sass is, I don't care! Respect begets respect. I am with you, Senior Pastor! https://t.co/0dLIPk5GWa
— Juvy Claire Enrile (@JuvyClairEnrile) June 4, 2022
