Duterte endorses Freddie Aguilar for senator? Panelo insists no despite proof

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte raises the hand of singer Freddie Aguilar on the sidelines of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) inauguration in Parañaque City on November 5, 2018. ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Musician Freddie Aguilar was not endorsed by President Rodrigo Duterte for senator, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, insisted on Tuesday, November 6.

Panelo said this in a press briefing when he was asked if Duterte’s move can be considered as premature campaigning when he urged the public to vote for Aguilar in the 2019 midterm elections.

“Hindi naman eh (Not really). He (Duterte) was just expressing his opinion on the qualification of the person. Hindi niya naman sinabi na iboto niyo ito eh (He did not say that you guys should vote for him),” the spokesman said.

“Ang sinasabi niya lang na (What he said is that) the messages of the songs of Freddie Aguilar has social content. Magaling siya (He is good), brilliant,” he added.

The reporters, however, read a part of the official transcript of Duterte’s speech during the inauguration of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) on Monday, where Aguilar performed a song number.

“Kaya ako, nakikiusap, tutal dose [na senador] man ‘yan, ibigay niyo sa isang nationalist. Ang isang taong nagmamahal sa bayan and the protest of his songs are there, makikita ninyo for the next generations and generations to come (That is why I’m appealing to you, since there are 12 seats for senators, give one to a nationalist. A person that loves the country and the protest of his songs are there, you will see for the next generations and generations to come),” a reporter reiterated Duterte’s words.

Panelo, however, butted in and said, “Wala siyang sinabing iboto niyo ‘yan (He did not say anything that you should vote for him).”

Determined to prove that the President indeed endorsed the folk singer, the media continued to read out the transcript and even mentioned the part where the Chief Executive raised Aguilar’s right hand and uttered, “Vote for Freddie Aguilar.”

“He may not be referring to an election. He may be referring to you people to vote for this man as an outstanding man,” Panelo maintained despite the official transcript and videos of Duterte’s speech uploaded online as proof.

The music icon, known for his hit songs “Magdalena,” “Bulag, Pipi, at Bingi,” and “Anak,” among others, filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator under the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) on October 11.

The party, however, denied that Aguilar was among their candidates for the upcoming polls as he has not received any Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) from them, PDP-Laban Public Information Chair Ron Munsayac had said