In a recent episode of ‘It’s Showtime,’ Vice Ganda engaged with a contestant and couldn’t resist discussing an unconventional statement made by Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa regarding the Philippines’ population and its potential impact on the national debt.
The Unkabogable star couldn’t resist making light of this statement when interacting with a contestant on ‘It’s Showtime’ who proudly shared that they have 12 children.
In a humorous response, Vice Ganda quipped, “Ito yung mga Pilipinong sumusunod kay Senator Bato, yung magparami raw ng population para maghati-hati dun sa utang ng Pilipinas. Ikaw talaga!” (These are the Filipinos who are following Senator Bato’s advice to increase the population so that they can share the Philippines’ debt. You’re something else!)
In a lighthearted tone, Vice Ganda continued, “Galing! Sumunod siya o!” (Impressive! He really followed the advice!)
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During a Senate Committee on Finance briefing focused on the 2024 National Expenditure Program, Sen. Bato Dela Rosa introduced an unusual perspective. He suggested that increasing the population could have a positive effect on the country’s debt situation.
He expressed his thoughts, saying, “’Yung simpleng pinobre na pag-iisip, ang anak nila mas marami para yung per capita debt natin baba, the bigger the population mas maraming maghahati hati sa utang” (In simple terms, they should have more children so that our per capita debt decreases; the bigger the population, the more people there are to share the debt).
As of June 2023, the Philippines’ national debt had surged to a record high of Php 14.15 trillion, with external debt accounting for 31.4% (Php 4.45 trillion) and internal debt constituting the remaining 68.6% (Php 9.7 trillion).
However, Sen. Bato Dela Rosa later clarified that his statement had been taken out of context and blown out of proportion. He explained that he was quoting the perspectives of others, describing them as “simple-minded people.” He emphasized that there was no malice or intention behind his statement.
Senator Sonny Angara, the chairperson of the Senate finance committee, also weighed in on the matter. He stated that the Philippines’ debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio is not currently in an alarming state.
