WATCH: No PRC license if you don’t know SAP Bong Go?

Several netizens expressed outrage over a video circulating on social media showing a proxy of Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go telling an audience in an oath-taking event that they won’t be issued a professional license if they do not know the Malacanang official.

The proxy, ACTS OFW Rep. John Bertiz, immediately issued an apology over his “inappropriate joke” during the oath-taking ceremony.

During the oathtaking and induction of new agricultural and biosystems engineers at Century Park Hotel on which Go was supposed to be the guest speaker, Bertiz could be heard asking if the audience knew who Go is, as seen in the video posted on Twitter on Tuesday.

“Bong Go ako ng Bong Go. Kakilala niyo ba kung sino ‘yung sinasabi ko [I was mentioning the name of Bong Go. Do you know who I am talking about]?” he asked the crowd, some of whom answered in the negative.

When the audience answered “no,” Bertiz proceeded to tell them that they won’t be given a professional license if they didn’t know Bong Go.

“Wag na natin ituloy ‘to. Wag na bigyan ng lisensya ‘to. Uulitin ko ha. ‘Yung hindi nakakakilala kay Secretary Bong Go, walang PRC license mamaya [Let’s not proceed with this. Don’t give them license. I’ll say it again, ok. Those who do not know Bong Go is, you’ll never get a professional license later],” the lawmaker said in jest.

Whether it was a joke or not, netizens were quick to react and posted negative comments on the video.

In the video, the audience could be heard reacting to the remark.

The uploader of the video asked not to be identified.

In a press briefing Tuesday, Bertiz admitted that his joke was “inappropriate” and that it has nothing to do with the prepared speech of Go.

“This is to sincerely apologize in what happened in the recent mass oathtaking ceremony of agricultural and biosystems engineers where the new 851 licensure examinees took their oath,” he said.

“I take the full responsibility of that joke. I apologize, I didn’t mean to anger, belittle or offend in any way. It was an inappropriate joke. I really feel sorry about it. Secretary Bong Go has nothing to do with the joke. Pasensya na po,” he added.

Bertiz also said it was apparent that the crowd had a negative reception about the presence of politicians during the event.

“Bago pa lang po magsimula ang oath taking ‘yung crowd po ay medyo hindi na po maganda ang kanilang reception na that is a PRC event and bakit daw may mga pulitiko,” he pointed out.

“We are just there to deliver the message of Secretary Bong Go as well as the President,” he added. /jpv