Numerous celebrities and social media personalities couldn’t help but react to Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent comments regarding the controversial confidential funds.
Duterte faced heavy backlash on social media after labeling those who criticized her use of confidential funds as enemies of the state.
“Kung sino man kumokontra sa confidential funds ay kumokontra sa kapayapaan. Kung sino ang kumokontra sa kapayapaan ay kalaban ng bayan,” the Vice President said during during her speech at the 122nd police service anniversary celebration of the Philippine National Police in Butuan City on Wednesday, October 4.
This statement quickly infuriated many online users, who deemed Duterte’s comparison to be inaccurate.
Joel Reyes Zobel, a well-known broadcaster, took to Twitter to challenge Duterte’s viewpoint and provide a more apt analogy. He expressed, “Ang kumokontra sa confidential funds ay kumokontra sa patagong paggamit ng pera ng bayan. Ang kumokontra sa confidential funds ay HINDI kalaban ng bayan kundi tagapagtaguyod ng mahusay na pamunuan at bukas na paggastos sa kaban. Sana maintindihan mo ng malinaw. #goodgovernance“
Ang kumokontra sa confidential funds ay kumokontra sa patagong paggamit ng pera ng bayan. Ang kumokontra sa confidential funds ay HINDI kalaban ng bayan kundi tagapagtaguyod ng mahusay na pamunuan at bukas na paggastos sa kaban. Sana maintindihan mo ng malinaw. #goodgovernance
— Joel Reyes Zobel (@joelzobel) October 5, 2023
Social media influencer Arshie Larga, also known as @arshiethromycin, criticized Duterte’s statement, asserting that confidential funds are not the personal funds of the Vice President but rather taxpayer money.
“Gaano ba kasi kahirap sabihin kung saan at paano gagamitin ang hinihinging CF? Hindi naman nya ito pera, kundi pera ng taong bayan.”
Gaano ba kasi kahirap sabihin kung saan at paano gagamitin ang hinihinging CF? Hindi naman nya ito pera, kundi pera ng taong bayan. https://t.co/tNrs4xxmKs
— Arshie Larga (@Arshiethromycin) October 5, 2023
Similarly, Twitter personality Gerry Cacanindin called out the Vice President, likening the situation to giving your household helper ₱500 to buy Coke and then, when unable to explain why there is no change, being told.
“Pera mo yan? Di mo yan personal na pera diba? Parang ito yung kasambahay na binigyan mo ng P500 to buy Coke tapos nung di maipaliwanag bakit wala ng sukli sasabihan ka nang, “Ang kontra sa pinambili ng Coke ay kontra sa merienda. Ang kontra sa merienda ay kalaban ng pamilya.””
https://twitter.com/GerryCacanindin/status/1709724901936882016
Singer-actress Bituin Escalante also took a swipe at Duterte for branding critics as enemies of the state, going as far as describing the Vice President as a ‘spoiled power tripper.’
“How dare you broadstroke us as “enemies of the state” for simply asking for transparency and accountability. Spoiled powertripper. @indaysara”
How dare you broadstroke us as “enemies of the state” for simply asking for transparency and accountability. Spoiled powertripper. @indaysara pic.twitter.com/PRYHsi5WOV
— bituin escalante (@gobituin) October 5, 2023
Journalist Rowena Salvacion shared her perspective, clarifying that although she opposes the misuse of excessively large confidential funds, she stands for peace and certainly does not consider herself an enemy of the state.
“salungat ako sa maling paggamit at umaapaw na confidential funds kasi maraming ibang dapat bigyan ng pondo. pero hindi po ako kontra sa kapayaaan at lalong hindi ako kalaban ng estado.”
salungat ako sa maling paggamit at umaapaw na confidential funds kasi maraming ibang dapat bigyan ng pondo. pero hindi po ako kontra sa kapayaaan at lalong hindi ako kalaban ng estado.
— Rowena L. Salvacion (@wengsalvacion) October 5, 2023
Economist JC Punongbayan elucidated the frustration with confidential funds, stating,”No. Kumokontra kami sa mga feeling entitled. Alam mo ba kung gaano kalaki ang deficits at utang ng Pilipinas? Bawat piso dapat maayos ang paggastos. At mas maraming dapat paggastusan ng confi funds mo tulad ng edukasyon at kalusugan. Don’t us.”
No. Kumokontra kami sa mga feeling entitled. Alam mo ba kung gaano kalaki ang deficits at utang ng Pilipinas? Bawat piso dapat maayos ang paggastos. At mas maraming dapat paggastusan ng confi funds mo tulad ng edukasyon at kalusugan. Don't us. https://t.co/k4Js37LIzp
— JC Punongbayan, PhD (@jcpunongbayan) October 4, 2023
Drag artist Lady Gagita questioned the Vice President’s well-being, given the outrageous nature of her recent statement.
“Miss maam? Okay ra ka?”
Miss maam? Okay ra ka? https://t.co/qFPuKnMKHO
— Lady Gagita #TheEraseTour #GagitaBornThisWayBall (@ladygagitaofcl) October 5, 2023
Content creator Chris Tan countered Duterte’s remarks, emphasizing that people are demanding accountability and transparency.
“Dictatorial tendencies are evident when a person declares anyone that disagrees with them to be against the nation. I beg to differ. anyone that wants to unilaterally spend taxpayer’s money w/ no accountability & transparency is the one that is truly against the nation!”
Dictatorial tendencies are evident when a person declares anyone that disagrees with them to be against the nation.
I beg to differ. anyone that wants to unilaterally spend taxpayer's money w/ no accountability & transparency is the one that is truly against the nation! https://t.co/AMRMhKP0GX
— Chris Tan (@imchristan) October 5, 2023
Here are other reactions from celebs and social media personalities regarding Duterte’s latest statement.
Kapamilya teen star Aljon Mendoza, tweeted “Kalokohan.”
Kalokohan https://t.co/hB4wFIww6s
— Aljon Mendoza (@AljonMendoza_) October 5, 2023
Former partylist representative Teddy Casino shared, “Ang adik sa confidential funds ay kontra sa tapat na pamamahala.”
Ang adik sa confidential funds ay kontra sa tapat na pamamahala. https://t.co/cH4nEyTgzp
— Teddy Casiño (@teddycasino) October 5, 2023
“Ang dami namang kalaban ng bayan. May I remind this politician na Hindi siya at opisina niya ang bayan. Ang bayan ay ang sangkatauhang nagtatanong lang naman saan at paano ginamit at gagamitin ng OVP ang confidential funds,” social media priestsonality @pads_nosi stated.
Ang dami namang kalaban ng bayan. May I remind this politician na Hindi siya at opisina niya ang bayan. Ang bayan ay ang sangkatauhang nagtatanong lang naman saan at paano ginamit at gagamitin ng OVP ang confidential funds. https://t.co/6wXyYYeDc7
— Pari Koy (@pads_nosi) October 5, 2023
“OA mo teh. Humihingi lang ng explanation, ayaw agad sa kapayapaan? Eh ikaw nga nanapak ng tao,” @jaicabajar remarked.
OA mo teh. Humihingi lang ng explanation, ayaw agad sa kapayapaan? Eh ikaw nga nanapak ng tao. https://t.co/LHaLOmw8Jv
— Jai Cabajar (@jaicabajar) October 5, 2023
