No action has since been taken against the senator.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 1) — Netizens and celebrities took to social media to express dismay over the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) summoning Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto to explain his alleged violation of Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
In March, Sotto ordered the limited deployment of tricycles in the city to serve all frontline personnel, health workers, and patients. This was prohibited under the enhanced community quarantine guidelines, which include the suspension of all public transport.
Sotto pointed out that the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act was only enacted on March 24, days after the tricycle issue. The mayor has since complied with the ban after drawing the ire of the Department of Interior and Local Government.
READ: NBI asks Vico Sotto to explain ‘violation’ of quarantine policy
A number of celebrities took to Twitter to defend the mayor.
Actress Angelica Panganiban also questioned the NBI’s decision, citing Sotto’s effective system that serves his constituents.
Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto, who helped author the law, advised the NBI to be cautious in their interpretation. The senator is also the uncle of the mayor.
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
Netizens and celebrities alike noted the contrast between the government’s attitude towards the Pasig mayor and Senator Koko Pimentel. Pimentel violated quarantine rules by visiting Makati Medical Center while awaiting his COVID-19 test results, which turned out to be positive.
#ProtectVico trended again on Wednesday evening with Twitter users defending the 29-year-old popular mayor. As of writing, the hashtag has over 200,000 tweets. It was also among the top trending topics worldwide.
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
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
NBI will be well advised to be cautious in their interpretation of the law I principally authored. Any so called violation of RA 11469 can't be retroactive!
— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) 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
Si Vico Sotto talaga?! Bakit NBI? Ano meron? Eh yung iba? 😳 Nakakapanghina na minsan yung mga desisyon nyo.
— Jodi Sta.Maria (@JodiStaMaria) April 1, 2020
Like what?????!!!! Yoko na!!!! Ang hirap sa ph govt, pag gumawa ka ng mabuti sa kapwa mas nakakataas ang makakabangga mo, pag gumawa ka ng hindi mabuti kaming mga netizens lang ang kalaban mo at ang nakakataas ay 🤐🤐🤐🤐 https://t.co/D3UmQZXy5K
— kim chiu (@prinsesachinita) April 1, 2020
Celebrity host and model Bianca Gonzalez said “let the working mayor do his job for his people, it was obvious he only wanted what is best for his constituents.”
Focus on whats really important: HELPING THE PEOPLE THROUGH THIS CRISIS.
Let Mayor Vico do his job (which he is doing so well already 👏🏻)
Akala niyo madidistract niyo kami ah.
— Lauren Young (@loyoung) April 1, 2020
