Talent manager Ogie Diaz urged voters to choose leaders based on their character and track record and disregard their political party affiliation.
Recently, Vice President Leni Robredo filed for candidacy for the 2022 elections. However, her filing became controversial as she opted to distance herself from the ‘dilawan’ branding of the Liberal Party and used the color Pink instead.
This caused critics to think that it is just her political strategy to steer clear of the negative impression of other people against the ‘dilawans.’
With this, Diaz, a fervent supporter of Robredo, appealed to people on October 25 via a facebook post.
“Ipahinga na yung galit nyo sa mga Dilawan. Normal naman sa pulitika ang paiba-iba ang kulay.”
He also pointed out that even President Rodrigo Duterte and Sara Duterte supported former President Noynoy Aquino and joined the latter in his campaign for presidency way back in 2010.
President Duterte is a member of the PDP–Laban. However, in 2009 he switched to the Liberal party and served as the Chairman of the said party in Davao City.
Diaz then clarified that he does not support any political party and does not choose leaders based on their political color only.
“Hindi ako Dilawan. Hindi ako tumitingin sa Kulay. Sa tao ako tumitingin. Sa karakter. Sa reputasyon. Sa kung ano ang magagawa para sa bayan. Sa linis ng kasaysayan ng pangalan.”
He then reminded the voters that they need to vote for those with a good track record, without any history of corruption.
“Wag nyo na lang kakalimutan na ang dapat nating iboto sa susunod na eleksyon ay yung may integridad, walang bahid ng corruption, hindi nagpayaman sa pwesto, tapat maglingkod at hindi kayo lolokohin. Sino ba ang may malinis na record? Yun ang dapat suportahan nyo.”
Diaz then addressed the usual replies of close-minded people in terms of choosing their leaders.
“Ngayon, kung ang lagi nyong dayalog ay ang mga sumusunod…
“Ah, basta. Kahit ano pa ang sabihin nyo, kay ____ kami..“ (Isinara na ang tenga, ipinikit na ang mga mata, ayaw nang makarinig ng mga katotohanan)”
Currently, some people are blinded by facts and history that despite the pieces of evidence presented, they chose to neglect these.
“Mayaman na yan, hindi na yan magnanakaw. Ipamimigay na lang nila ang pera nila.” (Namuhunan sila, kailangan nilang tumubo).
“Kahit magnanakaw, at least, maraming nagawa.” (Isaksak mo sa utak mo na trabaho nila ang paunlarin ang bayan, hindi ang sarili).
“Tutal, lahat naman, corrupt. Kung sino ang magbibigay sa amin, doon kami.” (Ilang araw lang ang halaga niyan kapalit ng anim na taong pwede mong pagsisihan).
“Siya ang bet ko. Kasi napanood ko sa tiktok at sa youtube na hindi naman totoo ang mga bintang sa kanya. (Ugaliing mag-research).”
Other people also depend on unreliable sources of information like TikTok or YouTube videos without checking their veracity.
Diaz is aware that he cannot force these kinds of people to side with him nor change their minds. But, he reiterated that every vote counts and these votes can change the nation.
“Wala na akong magagawa kung ganyan pa din takbo ng pag-iisip ng iba. Boto naman nila yan eh.
“Basta lagi mo lang isasaalang-alang na mahalaga ang isang boto mo at para ito sa kapakanan ng bayan mo.”
In the country, there are currently five major political parties which are, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, Nacionalista Party, Nationalist People’s Coalition, Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats, and Partido Liberal.