Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III should not underestimate entertainers because he might have forgotten that his sister and many of his supporters are from the entertainment industry, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revila Jr. said on Friday.
This was Revilla’s reaction to Aquino’s call on Filipinos during the country’s commemoration of Independence Day to choose genuine leaders, and not those who are only good at reading scripts, dancing or singing.
“Unang una baka nakakalimutan nya na yung isang kapatid nya na malaki ang naitulong sa kanya ay nagmula rin sa show business at ang mga sumuporta rin sa kanya ay may singers, mga artists, artista (First of all, he might have forgotten that one of his siblings also comes from show business and those who are supporting him are singers, artists, and actors),” Revilla said over radio.
Revilla was apparently referring to Aquino’s youngest sister and popular TV host, Kris.
“Huwag niyang maliitin…(Don’t underestimate them),” he said.
“Kung ako lang gusto niyang paturingan eh diretsuhin niya ako and there’s nothing wrong with that. Irerespeto ko kung ano iyong papanaw niya sa aking awitin pero entitled rin naman ako kung ano iyong gusto kong ibigay na message sa ating mga kababayan (If he was just referring to me, then tell me straight. I will respect his view about my song but I’m also entitled to whatever message I wanted to give our countrymen),” Revilla said.
The song the senator was referring to was the music video that he played on the Senate floor when he delivered a privilege speech Monday.
Revilla disclosed that he had prepared two speeches–one attacking the sins of this administration and the one, calling for unity, which he chose to deliver.
Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, in a separate interview, chose not to comment on Aquino’s remarks.
“Hindi na ako mag kokomento.Baka hindi naman ako ang pinatutungkulan. No comment ako dyan (I will not comment anymore. He might not be referring to me. I have no comment on that),” Estrada said.
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