Senatorial aspirant Francis Tolentino on Wednesday hit the Filipinos’ supposed double standard–saying that the public was ruthless in criticizing him for being involved with the girl group “Playgirls” yet they are raring to watch international pop star Madonna live.
Tolentino, in an interview with ANC’s Headstart, said that society’s “hypocrisy” was the reason why he drew flak for supposedly inviting the scantily-clad girls to perform during the birthday party of Laguna fourth district representative Benjamin Agarao right after a Liberal Party oath-taking last year.
“In terms of societal hypocrisy and how you view things, you penalize a guy for something he’s already apologized [for], and yet you patronize all of these things in shows, noontime shows, and then you have a fully-booked Madonna show forthcoming. So okay lang ‘yun (that’s okay), blame it on societal hypocrisy, blame it on existing paradigms which sometimes we accept, sometimes we don’t,” Tolentino said.
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Netizens’ outrage on the incident was swift and unforgiving toward Tolentino. Even women from the Liberal Party such as vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo and senatorial candidates Risa Hontiveros and Leila de Lima expressed dismay over the incident.
Tolentino apologized for the incident and days after, he volunteered to be dropped out from the administration’s senatorial slate.
READ: Francis Tolentino apologizes for Playgirls’ twerking boo-boo
Moving forward, the former Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair said that the boo-boo “strengthened” his character.
“It has nothing to do with your performance as a government official, it has nothing to do with your character, I think it even strengthened my character, my resolve to ask forgiveness, maging mapagpakumbabang loob (to become humble), I think it is one phase in your life when you admit and ask forgiveness, let’s move on,” he said.
Tolentino also clarified that he has no pending cases filed before the Sandiganbayan, a proof that he is an honest official.
Madonna’s two-day concert in Manila will start on Wednesday, February 24. CDG
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