Enchong Dee slams ‘heartless, unintelligent’ MMDA spokesperson over posts about Reina Nasino

Celebrities criticized Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) spokesperson Celine Pialago for her statement against jailed activist Reina Mae Nasino.

Actor Enchong Dee, who chided Pialago for her statements on traffic in the past, called her out for being insensitive.

“This person is heartless and unintelligent,” he tweeted. “Ilagay mo ang sarili mo sa kalagayan ng isang ina at mangyari to sayo. Bilang isang tao… ok lang talaga sayo?“

(Put yourself in the situation of a mother and this happened to you. As a person, this is okay with you?)

This person is Heartless and Unintelligent. Ilagay mo ang sarili mo sa kalagayan ng isang ina at mangyari to sayo.

Bilang isang tao… ok lang talaga sayo?? pic.twitter.com/KPLGPk4HuB

— Enchong Dee (@enchongdee777) October 18, 2020

The MMDA spokesperson came under fire for a post that criticized those who sympathized with Nasino.

“Hindi lahat ng inang nakakulong ay nakapunta sa burol ng kanyang anak. Kaya yung mga sumisimpatya kay Reina Mae Nasino, pag-aralan niyo mabuti dahilan kung bakit siya nakulong at kilalanin niyong mabuti kung sino siya sa lipunan,” Pialago said.

(Not all mothers in prison are able to attend the burials of their children. To those who are sympathizing with Reina Mae Nasino, please study why she is in prison and know who she is.)

“Masyado ninyong ginagawang pang drama serve sa hapon ang paghihignapis niya. Tigilan niyo!”

(You’re dramatizing her grief. Stop it!)

Host and talent manager Ogie Diaz also criticized the government appointee. In one tweet, Diaz said: “Ate, makidalamhati ka man lang bilang ikaw ay babae rin at magiging ina ka rin. Wag puro ganda lang. Maganda din sana kalooban mo sa kapwa mo babae.”

(You could have sympathized with her as a woman and future mother. Don’t just focus on your looks. You should also think about how you treat other women.)

Ate, makidalamhati ka man lang bilang ikaw ay babae rin at magiging ina ka rin. Wag puro ganda lang. Maganda din sana kalooban mo sa kapwa mo babae. https://t.co/0bjfDpzHoN

— ogie diaz (@ogiediaz) October 18, 2020

In another tweet, Diaz told Pialago to ask the police why Nasino was heavily guarded.

https://twitter.com/ogiediaz/status/1317743253358145536

Eto nga, hinimatay lang, sinabi ni MMDA Spokesperson Pialago na “she passed away.” Kaya ingat-ingat din, teh, sa mga binibitawang salita. Babae ka din. Dapat naiintindihan mo ang dalamhati ng isang ina. https://t.co/t9kRbNT5Fw

— ogie diaz (@ogiediaz) October 18, 2020

https://twitter.com/ogiediaz/status/1317756511880278016

Rock Ed founder Gang Badoy-Capati said Pialago could have just kept quiet.

You should have just kept quiet, Ma'am.

You should have just stayed silent. https://t.co/N64GXoWc2M

— Gang Capati 🇵🇭 (@gangbadoy) October 18, 2020

Director Antoinette Jadaone meanwhile retweeted statements by Philip Jamilla of Karapatan and Deo Mariano Enalpe about Pialago’s statement.

Actor Bart Guingona also did not mince words about the issue.

These kinds of arrogant, insensitive public servants, —Antiporda, Roque (mental health dolomite), Duque, the PNP, Cynthia Villar,— are hallmarks of this admin’s character. Impunity emboldened and enabled by the leader himself. https://t.co/F6OfIN38d3

— Bart Guingona (@guingonabart) October 19, 2020

Nasino was arrested in November 2019 during a crackdown on progressive groups. After giving birth to River – whom she carried while in prison – she was separated from the child. Baby River died of acute respiratory distress syndrome on October 9.

She was initially allowed a 3-day furlough to bury and grieve with her family but this was cut to 6 hours and spread over 2 days. She was able to say goodbye to River while under heavy guard by police and jail officials.

The treatment was met with criticism with stars like Anne Curtis and sister Jasmine Curtis-Smith, who called out officials for their treatment of Nasino during the burial. – Rappler.com