In a strongly worded series of statements, Rocksteddy frontman and “It’s Showtime!” host Teddy Corpuz took a jab at President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncements during his latest State of the Nation Address (SONA).
For two consecutive days, July 27 and 28, Corpuz posted a slew of tweets on his official Twitter account @teddspotting, all of which criticize the President’s controversial statements on issues concerning the Anti-Terror Bill, the death penalty, the denial of the ABS-CBN franchise renewal, and the West Philippine Sea territorial disputes. He also had some words for those who voted for the President.
‘Off topic’ as usual
But one of the first things to irk Corpuz was how the SONA appears to have nothing different to offer from the supposed regular nightly press briefings of the President, in terms of relevance.
“Para saan ba yung SONA? Eh gabi gabi may SONA na off-topic palagi. #WhatFor. ah okay magbabarong at pageant lang pala. Ingats kayo dyan sa Sandigang Bayan, uso covid sabi nang mayor naming,” he noted.
(For what was that SONA? Every night, there’s already a SONA which is always off-topic. Ah, okay, it’s [an opportunity] for them to be wearing Barong Tagalog and to parade. You guys take care there at Sandigang Bayan, COVID-19 is in style there, our mayor said.)
He also has a theory on why there was much thunder that day: “Luh lakas nang kulog at ayan nagsisimula nang umulan. Pati kalangitan hindi naniniwala sa mga pinag sasasabi sa #SONA2020.”
(Hey, the thunder is strong and loud, it’s starting to rain. It seems that even heaven does not believe at what’s being said in SONA.)
Death penalty revival
Corpuz also hit Duterte’s push for the death penalty in a series of tweets on July 27:
“Death penalty for drug related crimes. Eh pano kung [hulihin] ka because of anti-terror bill tapos taniman ka nang droga sa bulsa or bahay mo? [E di] deads ka na. Jusko alam na namin saan to pupunta susme!”
(What if you were caught because of the Anti-Terror Bill, and drugs get planted in your pocket or in your house? You’re dead. My God, we already know where this is heading.)
“Death penalty ang sinusulong. May pandemic oh ser! MAY PANDEMIC! Sagip buhay muna para sa pandemya atupagin bago yan. SAGIP BUHAY muna daming apektado puro pag patay lang nasa isip. Nung klase yan!”
(Death penalty is what is being pushed. There is a pandemic, sir. There is a pandemic. Prioritize saving lives before getting busy with [the death penalty]. Save lives first, many are affected but all you think about is killing. What kind of thinking is that.)
Inutile before China, jet ski days
He took a swipe at Duterte’s admission that he is “inutile” when it comes to addressing the West Philippine Sea territorial dispute. The President declared that China is already “in possession” of the contested islands and waters, and he can’t “wage a war” against China.
Corpuz felt we can push for a diplomatic course to address the issue.
“You can first stand to be with your country and countrymen. That’s enough for us [sir]. Then maybe other countries too can join us in our stand against China’s [tyranny]. Yung alam lang namin kahit paano na ka-isa namin sa paninindigan yung mismong presidente sana namin,” he stated. (We at least just need to know that our President himself is standing with us.)
“Parang team mo sa (It’s just like having your team in) basketball… Manalo o matalo (Win or lose) you stand with your team. By victory or defeat at least you made your stand! Kayo po ser, kaninong team kayo kakampi, team Pinas or team China?” he asked. (But you, sir, on what team will you be with? Team Philippines or team China?)
“…At least stand with your people against China sana kasi presidente ka nang Pilipinas di ka naman presidente or tuta nang China!” he lamented. (You are [supposed to be] the President of the Philippines, not the lapdog of China.)
Corpuz also recounted the former claims of Duterte during the presidential campaigns, when he declared that he would jet ski to the contested territory to fight against China, as per his tweets on July 28.
“[Jet ski] sa China… ngayon inutil ka. If you can lie about those things from the start, pano kami maniniwala ngayon sa mga pinagsasasabi mo at sa mga sasabihin mo pa or even sa mga pangako mo? Pano kami maniniwala sa SONA?”
(Jestki to China… now you’re “inutile.” If you can lie about those things from the start, how will we believe your words now and the words you’re about to say later, or even your promises? How can we believe the SONA?)
Corpuz also has a question to those who voted for the President: “Kung dati bilib na bilib ka before the elections na mag [jet ski] sya papuntang China. Ano na ngayon ang pakiramdam mo knowing na inutil presidente mo sa isyu na yan at sinabi lang pala nya yon to hype you up and deceivingly get your vote?”
(If you used to be impressed with his jet ski claims before the elections, how are you feeling now, knowing that your President is inutile, and that he only said that to hype you up and deceivingly get your vote?)
‘Neutral’ not?
Corpuz also criticized the Palace’s previous statement that Duterte is neutral on the ABS-CBN franchise renewal issue. In a vote of 70-11, Congress denied the network’s franchise renewal bid, causing the retrenchment of ABS-CBN’s 11,000 workers.
In his SONA, Duterte declared, “Media is a powerful tool in the hands of oligarchs like the Lopezes who use their media outlets to battle with political figures. I am a casualty of the Lopezes during the 2016 elections.”
“Ayun deny pa nang deny mga spokes personnel mo and your camp na ‘neutral’ ka sa isyu nang [ABS-CBN] yun pala manggagaling din sa bibig mo (There you go, your spokesmen and your camp keep on insisting that you are “neutral” on the issue of ABS-CBN, turns out [the truth] would eventually come out of your mouth),” was Corpuz’s retort.
“Your SONA just confirmed your true dark intentions. Thanks [TheTurtle],” he said. “What’s up #DTurtle?” JB
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