Federalism not an ‘amusement piece’ — Nancy Binay

Federalism is not an “amusement piece nor is it a comedy material,” Sen. Nancy Binay said on Monday amid the uproar on the viral jingle on federalism.

On Sunday, a video went viral on social media showing Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson and Drew Olivar, her co-host on the “Good News Game Show,” dancing and singing about federalism with “pepederalismo” lyrics.

Reacting to the video, Binay said: “I can’t emphasize enough how important the messenger relays the message. With what we all saw in the video, I think we can all agree that the message and the messenger matter.”

“Nakalulungkot that the seriousness of the discourse has been downgraded to the lowest of forms,” she said.

Binay urged Malacañang to ask those who have no official business to speak on behalf of the Consultative Committee “to disengage from all activities relating to the information campaign about federalism.”

Uson has been tapped by the government to help promote the shift to federalism.

Instead of spending P90 million for federalism campaign, Binay said the money would be better used for children’s healthcare.

“Let it be better spent on medicines and assistance to flood and fire victims—at least we know healthcare is worth every centavo,” the senator said.

Binay earlier asked Uson to attend a Senate hearing on Cha-cha and explain how she would promote and explain federalism to the people.   /vvp