President Rodrigo Roa Duterte backed up Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla’s suggestion to include middle-income Filipino families in the Social Amelioration Program, a two-month emergency subsidy intended for the poorest of the poor affected by the COVID-19.
Remulla’s appeal initially had Robin Padilla, a dedicated follower of President Duterte, berating him for bringing up the idea and adding that the president knows what he is doing.
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“Sir Governor alam ni mayor PRRD ang ginagawa niya hindi puedeng sabay sabay sa isang bagsakan dahil limitado rin ang resources ng bansa,” (Sir, the President knows what he is doing. It cannot be done at once considering the country’s resources are limited), the actor said.
Padilla also claimed that the government is giving the working class a tax break to help them deal with the crisis.
Padilla also said the government needs to prioritize poor families because they need more help.
He also suggested our Government extend help to the poorest of the poor because they need it the most.
“This is a plague, Governor and if we neglect discipline, welfare and health of these unfortunate people, and if we don’t prioritize them, expect death on a massive scale,” he added.
The actor believes that Remulla will still support the President once this pandemic is over.
“Kaya po sir governor kung sakaling ipahintulot pa ng Panginoon na makabalik pa tayo sa dating mundo aasahan ko ang muli mong pagtindig at paglutang kapag kakasahan na muli ni mayor PRRD ang mga oligarchs dahil ang makapagbibigay lamang ng kaginhawaan sa buhay ng mga middle class ay ang tamang sueldo tamang benepisyo at tamang karapatan para sa mga manggggawa/middle class,” he added.
Remulla, however, was saddened that Padilla took his suggestions to help the middle working class the wrong way.
“Nakakalungkot na minasama mo ang aking panawagan sa ating pangulo. Pag nasa realidad na buhay ka ay durugo ang puso mo para sa mga nahihirapan.”
He also told Robin he does not want to add to the President’s burden and urged him to work hand-in-hand to combat Coronavirus outbreak.
“But please don’t waste the people’s time by engaging in talk that does not help. People are suffering. They are hungry. They are insecure about what the future brings. The least we can do is to give them hope of surviving another day and give them the sincerity of service that they expect.
“I am one with the President as you are. I serve at his pleasure and I am committed to the people of Cavite.”
Netizens flood social media with their reactions, exchanging views and opinions on Remulla vs. Padilla.
https://twitter.com/_tudoy/status/1247509180509908996?fbclid=IwAR2LQRDE8MQ88fl29n3RXFTxNkvdh34-cnCF9bZCWaqxthT-PBH3_z_pwwE
https://twitter.com/Prfctrjct/status/1247557197975793666?fbclid=IwAR0TyzwOzJTk2-HS_r3rdPm_9aDnFHQCbW97YBEe6a5yjFPveIqYRPRxR6A
Robin Padilla is illiterate atsaka iisa lang ang acting style niya.
— HIDILYN KLUM (@Punongbayan_) April 7, 2020
Tutal laging maraming kuda ito si Robin, siya na lang kaya magbantay sa mga checkpoint or tumulong siya sa OVP magdeliver ng PPE at food packs sa mga frontliners. 🙄🙄🙄
— Jover Laurio (@PinoyAkoBlog) April 7, 2020
Robin Padilla is the perfect representation of false nationalism.
— Yel Yel (@YelYelDn) April 7, 2020
In the light of Remulla’s appeal to include the working class in the social amelioration program, the Philippine Government is looking into the possibility to provide help to the middle class amid COVID 19 crisis.
“Pinag-aaralan pa po… Ayoko po pangunahan pero I assure that this (aid for the middle class) will not hamper the distribution of aid sa mga mahihirap under the social amelioration program,” Cabinet member Karlo Nograles said in a virtual press briefing.
