Actor Cesar Montano expressed both personal concern and national frustration when asked about the controversy surrounding his close friend, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who has been linked to alleged anomalies in flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
After the media conference for his upcoming film ‘Selda Tres’, Montano was asked to react to the issue—first as Estrada’s friend, and second as a Filipino citizen.
“As a friend, of course nalulungkot ka kasi sa sitwasyon niya ngayon he has to answer a lot of questions kasi naghihintay ang buong bayan sa sagot niya,” Montano said. “As a friend, I am praying for him. As a Filipino citizen, we need answers… real answers.”
During the presscon proper, the veteran actor did not hide his disappointment over recurring corruption scandals in government.
“Sa aking mga nasagap at natutunan… ahhhh, tayo kasing mga Pilipino, sa nangyayari ngayon, this is the product of our kabaitan. Masasabi kong kabaitan. Alam mo, pag sobra kang mabait, masama. Lahat ng sobra, masama,” he said.
Montano stressed that Filipinos have, for too long, tolerated wrongdoing by voting in the wrong leaders.
“Marami sa ating mga leaders, hindi sila dapat mga leaders. Because they cannot lead with righteousness, correct? Pero sino ang nag-upo sa kanila? Tayo. We are selling our souls… we are selling our souls for how many years?! Naging kultura na natin ito,” he explained.
He noted that vote-buying remains rampant, especially in the provinces.
“Pag sinabi mong huwag ibenta, ‘tapos may offer sa kanya, ang boto niya, P10,000. Isang boto mo. ‘Pambiling bigas na ito saka ano,’ di ba? Of course, these voters [are] thinking about kung ano ang kakainin nila ngayon at bukas. But they’re not thinking kung ano ang magiging future ng anak nila at ng apo niya,” he said.
Montano urged Filipinos to stop selling their votes and to think long-term: “Dapat kasi, iniisip natin kung ano ang magiging future din ng anak o apo natin. We should not, never… sell our votes. Next time po, sana sa susunod na eleksyon talaga.”
Above all, he called for national healing through prayer.
“This country needs healing. Kailangang gamutin ito. And according to the Scripture, we should humble ourselves and pray together. Ano ito, sakit. Sakit ng bansa natin ito. We should humble ourselves and pray na sana, ma-heal itong bansa natin at magbago tayo ng disposisyon sa buhay,” Montano said.
Montano stars alongside Carla Abellana and JM de Guzman in ‘Selda Tres’, an official entry to the 7th Sinag Maynila Film Festival, running from September 24 to 30 in select cinemas nationwide.
