Lawmaker to VP Sara: Help instead of just criticizing

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

HELPFUL ADVICE. Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua guests at the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City on Aug. 10, 2024. He said that instead of attacking the Marcos administration, critics should instead help out for the benefit of the country. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)

MANILA – Destabilization efforts against the Marcos administration must stop, Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua said on Saturday as he emphasized the need for unity for the benefit of the country.

During the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, Chua cited Vice President Sara Duterte’s observation that the current administration lacks a flood mitigation masterplan.

He said Duterte’s statement was “unfair and uncalled for.”

To the President’s credit, Chua said Marcos personally checked on the effects of the Super Typhoon Carina-induced monsoon rains that resulted in massive flooding in Metro Manila.

He also praised Marcos for his efforts to improve the Filipinos’ lives by providing assistance and looking for ways to generate more jobs in the country.

“Kung titignan naman po ninyo, lahat naman po ginagawa ng ating Presidente. Umiikot po siya. Naghahanap po ng mga (If you look at it, our President is doing everything. He goes around, looking for) investors,” he said.

Chua said Duterte should help Marcos instead of criticizing the government’s supposed shortcomings.

He added that Duterte would tarnish the country’s image if she continues to focus on attacking the Marcos administration.

“Whether oposisyon ka, whether administrasyon ka, parte ka ngayon ng administration. Syempre lahat po kami, gusto namin maging matagumpay ang kasalukuyang administrasyon (Whether you are with the opposition or the administration, you are part of the administration. Of course, we all want the current administration to be successful),” Chua said.

“Kung may mga effort to destabilize, sa tingin ko po, hindi po ito makakaganda sa ating imahe dahil ang magiging tingin po ng mga negosyante eh hindi po stable ang ating gobyerno. And to think na ang mag-aaway, Presidente at saka Bise Presidente (The way I see it, destabilization efforts will have a bad impact on our image because businessmen would think that our government is not stable. And to think that the ones squabbling are the President and the Vice President).”