Photo: Facebook Page of Vice Ganda
MANILA, Philippines – Columnist-radio host Jobert Sucaldito is accusing Vice Ganda of vote-buying.
This, after the comedian won the Best Actor award during the recently-concluded PMPC Star Awards for movie. The “It’s Showtime” host bested Joel Torre and Piolo Pascual for “On The Job,” and Governor ER Ejercito for “Boy Golden: Shoot to Kill.”
In a statement, Sucaldito said:
“Ang malungkot, ayaw nilang ipakita ang tunay na resulta ng botohan nila — itinatago nila. Kasi nga, if I had 22 committed members, ilan na lang ang natitira sa kanila? 16? ( The sad part is they don’t want to show the real voting results—they are hiding it. If I had 22 committed members, how many were left with them? 16?)
“In short, I already have the numbers. Kaya lang, since ayaw nilang ipakita ang tunay na resulta ng votes, nanalo si Vice Ganda dahil kontrolado nila ang results.” ( But since they don’t want to show the real results of votes, Vice Ganda won because they have control over the results).
PMPC speaks up
A day after Sucaldito released his statement, the PMPC spoke up and denied the vote-buying allegations.
The group said, “We strongly refute the said allegation. The voting members gave their utmost trust and confidence to the winners in their respective categories, thereby making the results final, uncontestable, and sacred.”
“There will be forces that will try to destroy the credibility and reputation of the club, but the PMPC will remain committed to its objectives, and no amount of intimidation and coercion can shake its foundation,” they added.
Reactions of netizens
As soon as the news came out, netizens flooded the social media with their reactions.
Vice Ganda’s millions of followers in various social media platforms went to express their thoughts on the controversy.
Those who have watched the comedian’s movie expressed that he is indeed deserving of the award.
But there are still who believe Sucaldito’s accusations.
Vice Ganda’s statement
Meanwhile, Vice Ganda, in an interview on March 12, said that his conscience is clear.
“Nagpapasalamat lang ako. Ayoko na masyado magbigay pa ng statement. Noong nabasa ko nga, natawa lang ako tapos tumahimik lang ako. Sinabi ko, ‘Kung kakausapin ko ang konsensya ko, ano kayang sasabihin ng konsensya ko sa’kin?’”
(I am just thankful. I don’t want to give any statement. When I read about it, I just laughed then I just kept quiet. I said, ‘If I will talk to my conscience, what will my conscience tell me?’)
He added, “Sabi ng konsensya ko sa’kin, kung nandaya ka, ibalik mo ang award. Kung hindi ka nandaya, yakapin mo ang award.” (My conscience told me, if you cheated, return the award. If you didn’t cheat, embrace the award.)