Kris to supporters after chopper issue: Will you defend me?

Screengrab from the Facebook page of the Municipality of Dalaguete

Will you defend me?

Television host and actress Kris Aquino asked Bulacan supporters of the Liberal Party to back her up after she received a slew of criticism on social media for using the presidential chopper on her way to Cebu province to campaign for LP standard-bearer Mar Roxas and running mate Leni Robredo.

“Binubugbog po ako ngayon sa social media. Sinasabi mapang-abuso daw ang pamilyang Aquino, makapal daw ang mukha namin dahil ginagamit ko daw ang presidential chopper para mangampanya. Pwede bang ipagtanggol niyo ako?” Aquino said before a crowd of yellow-wearing supporters in Hagonoy town on Thursday, a video by ABS-CBN News showed.

(I am being pummeled in social media. They called the Aquino family abusive, that I am thick-skinned for using the presidential chopper for campaigning. Could you please defend me?)

The plea of the presidential sister, who was wearing yellow, the color of the administration party, drew cheers and applauses from the supporters.

READ: Palace on viral photos: Kris Aquino, sisters may ride presidential chopper

The celebrity was heavily criticized after her photos alighting from the chopper last Tuesday went viral on social media, with netizens and militant groups calling her out for using government resources and taxpayers’ money for the campaign.

Despite being criticized, Aquino told the audience that she had to walk for three kilometers going to the campaign venue in Hagonoy. She said she did not want to keep the people waiting.

“Sa totoo lang po, one hour na ako naghihintay. Ang mga guards na kasama ko naloka na lang dahil binuksan ko ang pinto at sinabi ko ‘maglakad na tayo!’ dahil nakakahiyang paghintayin ang Hagonoy,” she said.

“Nalaman ko na ang bise presidente kong si Leni Robredo, nagsalita na kaya sabi ko hindi pwedeng maghintay pa kayo,” she said.

(Actually, I waited for an hour. The guards I came with were just dumbfounded when I told them, ‘Let’s just walk!’ Because it would be embarrassing to keep Hagonoy waiting.

I found out that my vice president, Leni Robredo, had already spoken so I said I can’t keep you waiting.)

But in spite of her tiredness, Aquino said she was willing to walk because the Aquino family was a hundred percent behind Roxas.

“Kaya po ako hinihingal, three kilometers po ‘yung nilakad ko pero ginawa ko ‘yan dahil ang Pamilyang Aquino, 100 percent ang suporta kay Mar Roxas!” she said as the crowd cheered louder.

(I am catching my breath because I walked for three kilometers, but I did that because the Aquino family supports mar Roxas 100 percent!)

READ: Visayas Ombudsman probes Kris Aquino’s use of presidential chopper for campaign

Malacañang defended President Benigno Aquino III’s younger sister and explained that members of the President’s immediate family are allowed to ride with him in official government vehicles. CDG