in News & Culture, Politics, Social Media

New ‘pasaway’ or full-on PR stunt? Sen. Bong Go seen in supermarket not wearing face shield during ‘grocery run’

And it wouldn’t be just anyone who would point out Bong Go’s “VIP status”—it would be sports journalist Chino Gaston.

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It seems a new person will be added to the list of government pasaways as eagle-eyed netizens are noticing how preferential treatment for VIPs still exists—as long as you are an ally of President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a set of photos shared by media consultant and former voice actor Benjie Dorango on Facebook, netizens saw Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go supposedly going on a grocery run in San Juan City this Sunday, March 14.

The post, which has since been shared more than 3,000 times on Facebook as of this writing, would have probably been a PR stunt for Go to show his “simplicity”, but journalist Chino Gaston noticed something was amiss.

While those supportive of Go were praising him for his simple attire—a t-shirt, shorts, and slip-on sandals, Gaston noticed that Go was not wearing a face shield.

This was in stark contrast to most of the people going to the same grocery that very same day, most of whom were wearing a face shield.

Gaston would call out Dorango, telling him to remind Go to wear his face shield. Dorango would respond with an attack on reporters not practicing social distancing during press cons, but Gaston clapped back.

Gaston would tell Dorango to “arrest media men who violate protocols” and “fire government officials” who do the same.

This clapback would gain him praise from netizens.

One would even call out Dorango as a “sub-par voice actor” alongside praising Gaston.

Others would try to figure out where Bong Go possibly did this grocery run to call on them to do a mandatory disinfection.

Most, however, pointed out how Go himself would violate the very protocols the administration he represents put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19.

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One would even point out how this failed PR stunt is similar to another government official’s recent attempt at showing “simplicity”—that of Presidential Chief Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo.

Panelo would be “seen” riding a jeep on his way to Agora Public Market in San Juan City last Sunday, March 7, with a “commuter” supposedly taking the stolen shot.

According to Panelo, this would be his way of checking whether health protocols were being implemented in public transportation.

Netizens, however, would point out how this “commuter” managed to “tail” Panelo all the way to the market, showing photos of him picking out items from the fish section.

Duterte himself is also known for showing “simplicity”, especially during the early days of his presidency. Photos of the President eating at a carinderia as well as sleeping beneath a kulambo while in his hometown of Davao City were publicized.

Bong GoChino GastoncommuteCOVID-19failed PR stuntGroceryno face shieldPR stuntquarantine protocolSalvador PaneloVIP treatment

Written by Andronico Del Rosario

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