#ProtectVico trends as Pasig City mayor summoned by NBI for supposedly violating ‘Bayanihan’ law
MANILA, Philippines — Netizens on social media were quick to defend Pasig City Vico Sotto as he was summoned by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for supposedly violating Republic Act 11469, also known as the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act.
The purpose of the “invitation letter,” according to NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Favin, was for Sotto to explain his side for disobeying the national government’s policy on imposing the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) threat.
Earlier, Sotto allowed tricycle operations to continue, so it can ferry health care workers to hospitals. Tricycles are among those modes of public transportations banned during the enhanced community quarantine period.
As news about the NBI’s summon to Sotto broke out, the hashtag ProtectVico quickly became the number one trending topic on Twitter worldwide.
Some netizens on Twitter – such as @rannpanganiban and @ayieguevara – made their voices heard, saying that they were right behind Sotto.
We have a government that’s going after Vico Sotto for “supposed violations” but preaches compassion for Koko Pimentel even when he made their entire COVID-19 Protocol look stupid. 🤡🤡#ProtectVico
— 𝕽𝖆𝖈𝖍𝖊𝖑✨ ᜇᜒᜏᜆ (@rannpanganiban) April 1, 2020
Imagine having a City Mayor investigated by the NBI for doing his job in protecting and serving the people of Pasig City. While giving compassion to a Senator who broke the quarantine order and endangered the lives of many.
It's not fun in the Philippines anymore.#ProtectVico pic.twitter.com/A13VZ2Pmq1
— Ayie G.⁷ (@ayieguevara) April 1, 2020
Human rights activist and political blogger, Francis “Frank” Baraan IV, also made his voice heard on the latest issue involving Sotto.
Let us protect the real public servants in this country from the black propaganda of the Duterte regime.
Show your support for Mayor @VicoSotto by using the hashtag #ProtectVico or #ProtectVicoSotto.
LET'S PUT AN END TO THESE CHARACTER ASSASSINATIONS BY THIS INSECURE REGIME!😠 https://t.co/glZ64Fo0uI
— Francis Baraan IV (@MrFrankBaraan) April 1, 2020
Celebrities too came to the defense of Sotto, among them being actress Janine Gutierrez.
“Busy po siya. Bakit hindi nalang si Senator Koko Pimentel ang ipatawag ninyo? Or yung isang Mayor, marami daw po kasi naghahanap sakanya,” she said on Twitter, referring to Pimentel’s issue that Pimentel was at the Makati Medical Center despite testing positive for the (COVID-19).
Busy po siya. Bakit hindi nalang si Senator Koko Pimentel ang ipatawag ninyo? Or yung isang Mayor, marami daw po kasi naghahanap sakanya. https://t.co/kcNdSvd5Qw
— 🌺JANINE (@janinegutierrez) April 1, 2020
(He’s busy. Why can’t you summon Senator Koko Pimentel instead? Or that other mayor, many are looking for him/her.)
TV host Bianca Gonzalez shared her opinion, saying: “Let the working mayor do his job for his people, it was obvious he only wanted what is best for his constituents.”
Let the working mayor do his job for his people, it was obvious he only wanted what is best for his constituents. #ProtectVicoSotto
— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) April 1, 2020
Kim Chiu also appeared to be shocked by the news.
“Like what?????!!!! Yoko na!!!! Ang hirap sa ph govt, pag gumawa ka ng mabuti sa kapwa mas nakakataas ang makakabangga mo, pag gumawa ka ng hindi mabuti kaming mga netizens lang ang kalaban mo at ang nakakataas ay [tahimik]”
(Like what? I give up! What’s hard with our government is that if you do something good, you’ll butt heads with the higher ups; if you do something bad, you’ll only go up against us netizens while they are silent.)
Like what?????!!!! Yoko na!!!! Ang hirap sa ph govt, pag gumawa ka ng mabuti sa kapwa mas nakakataas ang makakabangga mo, pag gumawa ka ng hindi mabuti kaming mga netizens lang ang kalaban mo at ang nakakataas ay 🤐🤐🤐🤐 https://t.co/D3UmQZXy5K
— kim chiu (@prinsesachinita) April 1, 2020
The “Divine Diva” Zsa Zsa Padilla also urged netizens to “protect” the Pasig City mayor.
#ProtectVico #ProtectVico #ProtectVico #ProtectVico #ProtectVico #ProtectVico #ProtectVico #ProtectVico #ProtectVico #ProtectVico #ProtectVico #ProtectVico #ProtectVico #ProtectVico #ProtectVico #ProtectVico #ProtectVico #ProtectVico #ProtectVico #ProtectVico #ProtectVico PLS RT
— zsa zsa padilla (@zsazsapadilla) April 1, 2020
