PAO assisting ‘no vax, no ride’ critic in viral video

Vendor Gemma Parina (Screengrab of the viral video. INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — The Public Attorneys Office (PAO) is extending legal assistance to a woman who criticized the “no vaccine, no ride” policy.

“Huwag na po Kayong Mag-alala kay Nanay GEMMA PARINA, umaalalay po ang PAO Manila District!” PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta shared on Twitter Monday.

(Don’t worry about Gemma Parina, PAO Manila District is assisting her!)

Huwag na po Kayong Mag-alala kay Nanay GEMMA PARINA, umaalalay po ang PAO Manila District!
Mabuhay Kayo PAO RPA REvelyn Ramos-Dacpano, Attys. Patrick Montemayor at Reymund Nuque!#PAO Free Legal AID
credits to:
MISS CHONA YU of https://t.co/pkJZCr7jIY
https://t.co/bVGW2572nl pic.twitter.com/8DldDahgMa

— Persida Rueda-Acosta (@persidaacosta) January 23, 2022

Parina, a vendor at the Paco Market, earlier said that there were people looking for her after she criticized the “no vaccine, no ride” policy.

Hence, she issued an apology to those who were offended by her outburst.

She went viral on social media after INQUIRER.net posted her video, lambasting the policy prohibiting those unvaccinated against COVID-19 in Metro Manila’s public transport.

She said that she walked from her house to reach the market as she refused to get a COVID-19 vaccine, citing that she has a heart condition and diabetes.

Like Parina, Rueda-Acosta is also unvaccinated against COVID-19.

Senator Franklin Drilon urged Malacañang and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to bar the PAO chief from reporting for work.

Acosta then justified that she opted not to get vaccinated due to her age a d health issues.

Under the Department of Transportation’s “no vaccine, no ride” policy, individuals going to work, purchasing and availing essential goods, applying for a license or passport, and heading to vaccination sites are exempted from the policy.

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