Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. and Sen. Imee Marcos voiced their willingness to act as umpires in the squabble involving the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), among others.
Prior, the MMDA removed FDCP chair Liza Diño as member of the Metro Manila Film Festival executive committee, accusing her of trying to take over its management.
Other groups such as the Concerned Artists of the Philippines, The Philippine Motion Picture Producers Association (PMPPA), and the Directors’ Guild of the Philippines, also criticized Diño over FDCP's supposed “overreach” issuing COVID-19 related guidelines and protocols for the industry even as the Inter-Guild Alliance (IGA) was already drafting rules for the same.
"Ayusin na lang lahat 'yan. Ako gigitna na ayusin kayo," Revilla, who made a name as bankable action star in the ‘80s and ‘90s, told Diño during the FDCP's budget hearing in the Senate Tuesday.
"I will talk to them. 'Pag okay na, mag-Zoom meeting tayo and let's talk," he added.
Marcos, who once headed the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines, offered the same, divulging she actually asked Diño to name names.
She shared, "Tinatanong ko nga diyan (kay Diño) bakit ang daming nakikipag-away... Sino ba pinakamasakit sa ulo?"
Diño, on her part, made clear, she only want what she feels is best for the industry.
She expressed eagerness to sit down with all concerned when possible.
"If we can bridge that dialogue, napakalaking bagay po," she said.