Juan Ponce Enrile, the former Senate President and current Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, recently came under fire for remarks he made about popular television host, Vice Ganda. Enrile made his comments during an interview on the SMNI network, owned by Apollo Quiboloy, a figure on the FBI’s most-wanted list.
Discussing a 12-day suspension issued to Vice Ganda and his partner Ion Perez by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) over an “icing incident”, Enrile pointed to a broader issue in society where those with influence often seem indifferent to others.
“Ang problema dito sa bansa natin kung meron kang power, political, social, economic or whatever, halos hindi mo na iniisip ‘yung kapwa,” Enrile said.
“Ang binigay na katangian mo sa lipunan ay hindi mo na tinitingnan ang kapakanan nu’ng mga iba,” he added.
Enrile also candidly mentioned that he wasn’t a fan of Vice Ganda’s comedic approach. He criticized the host for being self-centered, and suggested that the latter’s sense of humor bordered on impropriety, emphasizing that this has been the way he’s perceived him for a long time.
“Sarili mo na lang ang iniisip mo. Akala mo maganda ang ginagawa mo, pero bastos ka, bastos kang tao. Hindi lang walang decency kundi abusado. Alam ko na mapagpatawa yang binabanggit mo na babae magmula pa ng araw ganyan na yan… you’re earning your living and popularity sa kabastusan,” Enrile added.
Many online users quickly defended Vice Ganda. Comments ranged from those questioning the audacity of Enrile’s statements to others calling out Enrile on his own track record.