Actor and Duterte loyalist Robin Padilla made a video encouraging the public to join him in forming a militia to protect the country’s army.
However, his call was only turned into a spectacle after a content creator named Psalmuel Vardeleon created a spoof on Padilla’s understanding of the responsibility of a militia.
Using Padilla’s logic, Vardeleon used the actor’s line of reasoning by associating it with different roles played by the public.
“Bakit naman tayo kukuhanan ng order nang cashier sa Jollibee? Dapat ang cashier sa Jollibee kinukuhanan natin ng order. Yan ang role nating mga customer. Tulad na lang sa bumbero, bakit tayo papayag na sila ang mag-apula ng apoy? Dapat tayo mismo ang susugod at mag-aapula ng apoy. Dapat ang bumbero pinoproteksyunan yan, hindi mo hahayaan na mag-apula ng apoy. Yan ang role ng nasusunugan,” said Vardeleon in the video.
But what entertained the celebrities and Netizens was Vardeleon’s “understanding” of the responsibility of citizens to the government.
“Tulad na lang sa gobyerno. Wag kang papayag na gawin nila ang trabaho nila. Tayo dapat ang sumasalo sa problema ng bansa. Dapat ang gobyerno hinahayaan lang natin yang matulog. Yan! Yan ang role natin bilang mamamayan. Matulog lang dapat ang ating ——-,” Vardeleon said before ending the video.
Vardeleon’s discreet criticism of Padilla’s logic and the government earned praises from celebrities, personalities, and Netizens who got amused by his craftiness in contradicting the Duterte administration and its followers.
Pia Magalona and musician Jim Paredes commended Vardeleon for his strategic rebuttal of Padilla’s understanding of militias.
https://twitter.com/piamagalona/status/1387232489144393732
https://twitter.com/Jimparedes/status/1387221557882228739
Market analyst and twitter personality John Paul Tanyag was delighted by Vardeleon’s satirical video about Padilla’s implication of a militia’s role.
yan ang role
(credits: Psalmuel Vardeleon) pic.twitter.com/WcFeJ5oxoS— jp✖️ plus why (@dumidyeypee) April 27, 2021
Another twitter personality, Jaecee Lim commended the creator for “hitting it hard” after Vardeleon used Padilla’s logic about the public serving and protecting state forces.
This hits so harddd!! Kudos! Hahahaha
— jaecee lim (@jaeceelim) April 28, 2021
Many Netizens also got entertained by the satirical video of Vardeleon.
https://twitter.com/UrbanInday/status/1387247295129735171
why naman like that hahahha https://t.co/TSJ4S5er2O
— Eleanor Haig (@EleanorHaig) April 28, 2021
Actor Jerome Dawis even considered the video as an “official entry” for the Cannes Film Festival this year for its canny depiction of Padilla’s understanding.
Our Official Entry for
Cannes Film Festival 2021 https://t.co/3PB15Qm339— Jerome Dawis (@JeromeDawis) April 28, 2021
Nevertheless, not everyone focused on Vardeleon’s satire. Just like a netizen who called Padilla “stupid” for his belief that militias are created to protect the military.
https://twitter.com/mrnvrnc_/status/1387271179208052738
A netizen even changed the responsibility of the state forces from “to serve and protect” to “to be served and protected” in line with Padilla’s philosophy.
https://twitter.com/nielairavp/status/1387262353373241350
Meanwhile, some condemned how the country chooses irrelevant people to have a voice.
Padilla’s lack of sense, a Netizen concluded that the actor’s statement is mere propaganda to hide the real problem—the Philippine government is incapable of stopping China from stealing the country’s resources.
This is the problem with this twisted nation. Those who have nothing good to say are heard. Those who have the actual right can't be heard. Can't u all see it these are just propagandas to hide the real problem? https://t.co/OJyVEu8o6E
— poisonous mushroom, RMT|| cw: #DivorceAttorneyShin (@KdramaAddict14) April 28, 2021
“Bakit naman natin isusugal yung mga sundalo natin? Ang mga sundalo natin, dapat pinoproteksyunan natin yan. Yan ang role ng militia! Yun ang role natin! Tutal napakadaming matapang, andaming matapang,” argued Padilla in his facebook live.
Militias are formed from the civil population to supplement a regular army if there is a state of emergency. Furthermore, the 1987 Philippine Constitution clearly stated the duty of the militia.
Article XVI Sec. 4 states: “The Armed Forces of the Philippines shall be composed of a citizen armed force which shall undergo military training and serve, as may be provided by law. It shall keep a regular force necessary for the security of the State.”
Hence, the existence of militias is to ensure the safety and security of the State; and not to protect the military forces of the country.
Padilla recently challenged Senators Francis Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros, retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, and musician Jim Paredes to join him in forming a militia and venturing to the disputed West Philippine Sea.
However, he retracted after Philippine Army Col. Mike Logico accepted his suggestion given that he passes certain conditions first.
