Despite his hectic schedule, actor Piolo Pascual joined fellow celebrities and public personalities in calling for action against corruption in the government.
Speaking during the advanced screening of his film The Ride, Piolo stressed that it is his responsibility as a Filipino to stay informed about national issues despite his work commitments.
“I had to catch up with the news because I’m so busy working [and] I don’t wanna be sidetracked because kailangan ko magfocus sa trabaho,” Piolo said. “I have to catch up because as a citizen it’s my job to be on the know.”
He went on: “It’s my job to know what’s happening not just to be updated but to know what’s happening in the nation because you’re a citizen you know. Dito nangyayari yung patriotism. I wanna be aware.”
Amid the growing clamor against corruption, Piolo echoed the public’s call for responsibility and accountability.
“You cannot point fingers right now, but I’m praying about it na sana managot talaga yung kailangang managot para maman magkaroon ng kaunting rest. Para naman magkaroon tayo ng confidence sa gobyerno at sa bansa natin. This is about the Philippines. Sana magkaroon tayo ng awareness,” he said.
As a taxpayer, Piolo admitted jokingly that he sometimes feels discouraged to pay taxes because of the controversies, but emphasized that he still complies as a law-abiding citizen.
“At the end of the day you have to do what you have to do as a citizen as part of this nation,” he explained.
The actor also expressed his anger and frustration over the continuous anomalies in government, particularly those affecting ordinary Filipinos.
“Nakakapikon. To see your fellow countrymen na having a hard time trying to get by tapos nababaha pa sila. Sana magkaroon ng konsensiya yung mga tao kasi nakakahiya. Sana makonsensiya na sila,” Piolo said.
“Saan ka ba dadalhin ng pera mo? Sana yung sapat na e sapat na. Huwag mo na nakawan yung mga tao. Naghihirap na nga. Magkaroon tayo ng konsensiya,” he remarked.
Piolo joins a growing list of celebrities who have spoken out against alleged corruption in flood control projects. Stars Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Bianca Gonzalez, Nadine Lustre, Angel Locsin, Jodi Sta. Maria, Donny Pangilinan, Darren Espanto, Angel Aquino, Dingdong Dantes, Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino, and Maymay Entrata were among those who amplified calls for accountability.
READ: Ivana Alawi, Cong TV, Pinoy content creators show support for the Trillion Peso March
READ: Kim Chiu calls out corrupt government officials: ‘Napapaligiran na tayo ng magnanakaw’
Last Sunday, September 21, several celebrities participated in the Trillion Peso March and Baha Sa Luneta protests, organized by groups and individuals demanding transparency and justice.
During the rally, Vice Ganda delivered a fiery speech, urging Filipinos to remain steadfast in the fight against corruption.
“Tapos na ang panahon na natatakot tayo sa gobyerno. Takutin natin ang gobyerno dahil ang kapangyarihan nasa sa atin, wala sa kanila. Nakatingin kami sa inyo, ipakulong lahat, lahat ipakulong. Bawiin ang mga ari-arian. Pati atay, i-donate. Ibigay ang atay. Pati mata, i-donate. Walang ititira kasi nga, hindi tayo pwedeng maawa,” Vice expressed.
“Hindi matatapos ang galit bukas! Iparinig ang galit hanggang hindi makulong ang mga put**g in*ng magnanakaw. Hindi tayong pwede magalit lang ngayon. Kailangan hanggang bukas. Kailangan sa susunod na linggo. Kailangan sa susunod na buwan. Hanggang umabot ng ilang taon. Hangga’t hindi sila nauubos,” Vice stated.