Are you running for public office next year?
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo made an inquiry about the political ambition of two celebrities critical of the government following their supposed fondness for commenting on issues.
In a recent episode of his “Counterpoint” program, Panelo reminded actress-singer Agot Isidro and actor Enchong Chee to "know the facts" before commenting on issues such as ABS-CBN franchise.
The two celebrities earlier expressed dismay with President Duterte's decision to block the operational license of the Lopez-owned network even if they managed to get its franchise renewed. Duterte, in a televised address on Feb. 8, said he will not allow the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to issue a license to the network to return on air unless it settles their supposed unpaid taxes to the government.
"Kayong dalawa Agot Isidro at saka itong batang-batang na kababayan natin na si Enchong Dee na nagbigay na naman ng kanilang mga pahayag, dismayado daw sila. Bakit naman daw itong si Presidente sasabihin na hindi niya papayagan na mag-operate kahit may prangkisa (You two, Agot Isidro and our young provincemate Enchong Dee, commented that they were dismayed at why the President would say will not allow the network to operate even though it gets a fresh franchise)," Panelo said during his program Friday, Feb. 12.
"Mahilig din itong dalawang ito pumasok 'no. Ano ba kayo? Tatakbo ba kayo congressman? Tatakbo ba kayong konsehal o barangay kapitan? (You're fond of commenting. What are you? Are you running for congressman? Are you running for councilor or barangay captain?)" he asked.
Panelo urged the two celebrities to avoid commenting on issues until they have done some research and determined the facts. "Eh hindi pa nga ninyo alam kung ano puno't dulo basta na lang kayo pumapasok. Papakinggan ninyo muna. Know your facts. Research bago kayo magsalita (You don't know the root cause and yet you comment about it. Listen first. Know your facts. Research before you say something)," he said.
A day after the President threatened to block ABS-CBN operations, Isidro took to Twitter to highlight Duterte was behind the closure of the network after all. "Si Duterte. Hindi ang Kongreso, hindi ang NTC. Utos niya, simula’t sapul," she tweeted last week.
Dee also took a swipe at Duterte for dwelling on the ABS-CBN issue, urging him to focus on helping people instead. "Andyan ka pa rin?? Hoy Gising! Ang daming Pilipino naghihirap ngayon, yun muna unahin natin kahit wala kaming franchise nakakapagbigay serbisyo kami," the actor tweeted last week.
Panelo meanwhile plans to further discuss the ABS-CBN network's alleged tax obligations on his commentary program after reviewing certain documents. The Palace official admitted that he has asked for the documents related to the network from Senator Christopher Go. The documents have already been submitted to Panelo's office.