- Netizens and celebrities were horrified by the decision of the NBI.
- The NBI added that they will also summon Senator Koko Pimentel for possible breach of protocols of his quarantine.
On April 1, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced that it had summoned Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto for his alleged violation of new law granting President Rodrigo Duterte special powers to deal with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The NBI stated that the young mayor supposedly disobeyed national government policies related to the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine imposed by President Duterte.
It can be remembered that Sotto urged the national government to allow tricycles in the streets, saying that their absence would have consequences on public health.
The mayor will be investigated for violating Section 6A of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act where it penalizes “LGU officials disobeying national government policies or directives in imposing quarantines.”
NBI added that Sotto will be given an opportunity to explain and defend himself as to why he should not be charged for allegedly allowing tricycles despite the transportation ban.
In a televised media briefing, Sotto confirmed receiving a letter from NBI and shared that it did not specify the violation he supposedly committed.
“Nakasulat lang, in parentheses pa, ibig sabihin ng e.g. di ba, halimbawa, example, e.g. continuous tricycle operation,” Sotto said.
“In the first place hindi totoo yun, noong sinabi nilang tigil tumigil kami.”
Celebrities and Netizens alike were horrified by NBI’s decision to investigate Sotto. Kapamilya star Janella Salvador reminded everyone to “vote wisely next time”.
This pandemic showed us how unbelievably embarrassing our government is.
Please. Vote wisely next time.
— Janella Salvador (@superjanella) April 1, 2020
DJ Chacha was in disbelief regarding the decisions of the government.
Puro kapunyetahan ang nangyayari sa paligid. Wag niyong ubusin ang pasensiya ng taong bayan.
— DJ Chacha (@mor1019chacha) April 1, 2020
Karla Estrada questioned as to why they are targeting those who are sincere and passionate about serving the people instead of those who should be really held accountable for their actions.
Kung sino pa ang nag lilingkod ng tapat at totoong may pag mamahal sa kapwa yun pa talaga ang igigiit. Mas maraming walang hiya dyan. Yun ang istorbohohin nyo. Maging makatarungan naman. #ProtectVicoAtAllCost
— karla estrada (@Estrada21Karla) April 1, 2020
Anne Curtis, Maris Racal, Bela Padilla, Angel Locsin, Angelica Panganiban, Zsa Zsa Padilla, and Bianca Gonzalez are just a few of those who tweeted about Vico Sotto.
https://twitter.com/annecurtissmith/status/1245309115376656384
positive na sukang suka na sa government. good people are outnumbered.
— Maris Racal (@MissMarisRacal) April 1, 2020
Sayang. May taong tumayo na at gumalaw para sa mga tao. Pinapaupo ulit. #protectvicosotto https://t.co/OymjeaqNpW
— Bela Padilla (@padillabela) April 1, 2020
Hindi ako nag mamarunong sa batas, pero sa opinyon ko, si Koko ang dapat ipatawag at hindi si Vico
— Angel Locsin (@143redangel) April 1, 2020
Wala silang mapag initan. Si mayor vico talaga? Kung sino pa may natutulong at maayos na sistema, siya pa kakasuhan? HANEP! Eh nasan na yung nagkalat ng virus sa makati med? So far kasi yun palang nagagawa niya. Ikalat ang virus. Mapapamura ka na lang pala talaga.
— Angelica Panganiban (@angelica_114) April 1, 2020
Like, seriously? Is it because he makes everyone else look bad at their supposed job?! Unbelievable. Pwede ba kayong magpaka busy sa ibang bagay?! Busy si Mayor. Tantanan nyo naman sya, please! Dami pa nyang gagawin. #OnlyInThePhils #ProtectVico pic.twitter.com/erOaKIpfHZ
— zsa zsa padilla (@zsazsapadilla) April 1, 2020
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
This sparked questions from netizens as to why the government has yet to act regarding Senator Koko Pimentel who violated the quarantine guidelines by accompanying his wife to the hospital and failing to disclose that he was a COVID-19 PUI at that time. He later admitted to having the disease.
This philippine government is a big as* joke. Only in the Philippines where competency is a crime, and incompetency is rewarded. Bigyan nyo ng subpoena si Koko Pimentel o kaya si Joy Belmonte paki naman. #ProtectVico #ProtectVicoAtAllCost pic.twitter.com/PiLZB1yLr5
— Miriam Gilles (@miriamgilles19) April 1, 2020
koko pimentel went to a hospital despite knowing he’s covid-19 positive, where’s his punishment for spreading the virus??? INSTEAD OF HOLDING THESE POLITICIANS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE CRIMES, THIS GOVT WANTS TO FILE CHARGES ON MAYOR VICO??? FOR WHAT???? DOING HIS JOB EFFICIENTLY???
— kelly bee ⁷ #MassTestingNow #OustDuterteNOW (@kelIyVEVO) April 1, 2020
TANGINANG GOBYERNO YAN!
This government won’t bat an eye to those who CLEARLY VIOLATED THE LAW (Koko Pimentel) and those who CAN’T DO THEIR FUCKING JOB (Joy Belmonte).
Their priority is putting down efficient leaders (Vico Sotto, Marcy Teodoro). Pathetic.#ProtectVico
— miss werka #MassTestingNgayonNa (@werqishaxfierce) April 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/rannpanganiban/status/1245283684510347265
PEOPLE POWER IS TRENDING!
WHY?
It's only in the Philippines where outstanding officials like Vico Sotto are being persecuted while assholes like Koko Pimentel are given 'Human Compassion".— Sheol (@SheolStatic) April 1, 2020
NBI OIC Eric Distor then added that they will also invite Pimentel to explain himself after his quarantine for “possible violations of quarantine protocols”.
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