Gloc-9 speaks up about performance in Abby Binay’s rally

MANILA, Philippines – Rapper Gloc-9 and his management clarified that his appearance at the proclamation rally of Makati Second District Representative Abigail Binay, who is running for mayor, was not an indication that he was endorsing anyone. (READ: Abby Binay to bring back father’s legacy to Makati)

Actor-dancer Jhong Hilario, who is running for UNA Makati councilor, dances with Gloc-9 pic.twitter.com/0C1CAAu3V5

— Mara Cepeda (@maracepeda) March 28, 2016

He wrote on Instagram, “Pinagsabihan po ako ng aking management na huwag nang magsalita tungkol dito pero di ko po kaya. (I was told by my management not to talk about it but I couldn’t help but speak up).”

Read his statement in full here:

Pinag sabihan po ako ng aking management na huwag nang mag salita tungkol dito pero di ko po kaya. Nais ko pong malaman ng lahat na nababasa ko ang mga saloobin ninyo at nirerespeto ko ito kahit na minsan masasakit na ang mga salitang kasama nito. Paumanhin po kung hindi nasunod ang gusto ninyo at mawalang galang na din po sa mga nag sasabing hindi pwedeng TRABAHO LANG ITO dahil ITO LAMANG NAMAN PO ANG TRABAHO KO. Hindi po ito hobby na naging trabaho ito po ay isang pangarap na ipinaglaban ko ng halos dalawang dekada sa kahit na saan ano at kanino at maitutuloy ko lamang ito kung ito ang magiging hanap buhay ko. Ako ay kumakanta sa entablado ng ibat ibang kandidato marahil ay hindi nyo lang gusto ang isang entabladong sinampahan ko. Katulad ng lahat may kanya kanyang dungis na ibinabato sa bawat isa sa kanila gayon paman i wish all the candidates good luck sa darating na elections at naway ang mapipili ay tunay na mag sisilbi at tamang mamumuno sa bayan natin. At sa may mga sama ng loob kung sakaling ang lahat po ng bintang duro at akusasyon ninyo sa huli ay mapapatunayang tama at tunay hihingi po ako ng tawad ngunit hindi sa kahit na sino man dahil higit sa aking pagiging manunulat ng awitin, higit sa aking pagiging ehemplo at higit sa aking pagiging mamamayan ako po ay isang Ama. Hihingi ako ng tawad sa aking mga anak dahil naniniwala ako na sa kanila lamang ako may pananagutan. Salamat po. Gloc-9

A photo posted by Aristotle Pollisco (@glocdash9) on Mar 30, 2016 at 3:53am PDT

“I want everyone to know that I’ve read all your messages and I respect them even if some of them have been hurtful. I’m sorry if your expectations were not met, but with due respect to those who have said that I can’t say ‘This is just my job’ – this is my only job. This is not a hobby that just became my job.

This is a dream that I fought hard to attain in the last two decades. No matter what, I persevered, and I would only be able to do this if this was going to be my livelihood. I perform onstage for several candidates – including some that you don’t like.”

“Like everyone who has some dirt to throw, I wish all candidates good luck in the upcoming elections and I hope that you all choose the ones who will truly serve and lead our country. And to those who did not like what I did – if all the accusations thrown at me were proven true – I wish to apologize, but not just to anyone. More than being a songwriter, a role model, and a Filipino, I am a father above all. I can only apologize to my children because I believe I am only accountable to them)

“Thank you. Gloc-9”

In an email to Rappler, his management said that he has been performing in various sorties since February and that it was like any regular gig for a local candidate.

Here is the full statement from his management:

Like many artists, Gloc-9 has been performing in various sorties since February of this year. During campaign season, it is normal for artists and celebrities to get gigs that are connected to or have something to do with the coming elections. In the past month alone, Gloc-9 has performed in sorties for local candidates regardless of party affiliations in Laguna, Bocaue, and Cavite. That it is this Makati gig that has gotten mileage is no surprise, and that has more to do with the media than with Gloc-9.

To Gloc-9 management this was just a regular sortie gig for a local candidate, no different from the sorties before it, and the sorties that will come after it.

Gloc-9, real name Aristotle Pollisco, received criticism from many followers after performing at Abigail Binay’s rally on Monday, March 28. Many believed that his appearance at the rally was an indication that he was endorsing the Binays.

Mocha Uson of the Mocha Girls, who is good friends with Gloc-9 also called him out on Facebook for appearing at the Binay sortie. Mocha supports Rodrigo Duterte. 

Mocha wrote on Facebook: “Gloc-9, please don’t get me wrong. Kaibigan po kita at ang iyong manager. Mahal at ini-idolo po namin kayo ng aking grupo. Pero sa pagkakataon na ito ang aking puso ay kumirot at nalungkot sa balitang ito. Para mo na ring ibinenta ang ating bayan sa mga politikong alam naman nating hindi karapat dapat mahalal dahil sa matinding corruption. Sana lang ay isinaalang alang mo ang kapakanan ng mga taong naghahangad ng tunay na pagbabago. Nakilala ka bilang isang rapper na isinusulong ang nasyonalismo. Ano ang nangyari sayo? Paano mo nasikmura ito?

(I’m friends with you and your manager. We love you and the group looks up to you. But this time, my heart is hurting and sad over this news. It’s like you sold our country to politicians that we know do not have the right to be in public service because of corruption. I just wished you thought about those who want real change. You are known as a rapper that promotes nationalism. What happened? How could you stomach this?)

“May pagkakataon ka pa na bawiin ang iyong suporta sa loob ng apat na pong araw (40 days) bago mag-eleksyon at ipakita ang iyong TUNAY NA PAGMAMAHAL sa ating INANG BAYAN.”

(You still have the time to change your support in 40 days before the elections and show the true love to our country.)

– Rappler.com