Aga Muhlach divides netizens with message to Sen. Trillanes, but gets thumbs up from Mocha Uson

aga muhlach

Image: Instagram/@agamuhlach317

Aga Muhlach and Bea Alonzo have drawn mixed reactions for their recent statements on a politician, but Muhlach who uttered the more vocal statements drew the more intense comments.

The “First Love” co-stars appeared on the talk show “Gandang Gabi Vice” — clips of the episode were posted online last Oct. 14.

Some netizens noticed that one of the clips had been taken down on the ABS-CBN website, particularly in the segment “Tanong Mo, Mukha Mo” where guests are made to ask a question to the person whose picture is flashed on a screen.

The clip has since been uploaded by netizens on Twitter.

During the episode, Muhlach and Alonzo were shown the picture of Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV.

Trillanes has been a vocal critic of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration. Duterte ordered his arrest last September, stating that he revoked the senator’s amnesty on the grounds that he had supposedly not applied for it.

In the clip now making the rounds on social media, Alonzo is seen looking at her co-star intently after the picture was flashed.

“Nakakapagod na (It’s exhausting)” was Muhlach’s message to Trillanes.

When Alonzo reminded him to ask a question, he said, “Bakit ba? Ano bang gusto mo mangyari? (Why? What do you want to happen?)”

“Di pa po ba kayo pagod (Aren’t you tired yet)?” asked Alonzo.

“Aircon naman ang senado (The Senate building is air-conditioned),” said Vice.

“Parang nag-eenjoy ka lang na nag-eenjoy. Tumulong ka na lang (It seems you’re just enjoying. Just help out),” said Muhlach.

“Kahit sinong presidente umuupo, sinisiraan. Eto, ginagawa naman ng presidente natin nakaupo ngayon ang ginagawa niya. Maraming hindi masaya sa kanya, pero punto ko ‘yung mga nakapuwesto rin, tumulong na lang kayo sana.”

(You complain about any current president. Here, our current president is doing what he has to. Many aren’t happy with him, but my point is to help whoever is in power.)

“Collaborate,” said Vice.

“Stop, collaborate and listen,” urged Muhlach, alluding to the Vanilla Ice rap song, “Ice Ice Baby” back in the 1990s, which is incidentally around the time when the actor was also at the heights of his fame.

Audience members could be seen applauding his statements. While it seemed there was plenty of support for Muhlach on the show, on social media, the actor received both praise and criticism.

Netizen @pinoytapsilog claimed that “yellowtards” — a derogatory term for the administration’s opposition — must have been behind the viral clip getting deleted. However, those who have criticized Muhlach have also been sharing the clip. 

Jhem Pua (@jhempua) said of Muhlach’s guesting: “I just loved Aga Muhlach even more. Simple lang ng sinabi pero may sense (What he said was simple but it made sense).”

“Also, why delete the video? Sad time for freedom of speech.”

One @TishaCM defended Muhlach: “Yellows are just [butt-hurt] that relevant actors support this [government] — the success of Duterte is the success of PH.”

“His movies helped Pinoys tide over the most trying times during Cory [Aquino] [and] all [governments] thereafter. He has the right to speak up.”

Those who disagree with what was said in the segment have called for boycotting the movie and unfollowing Muhlach’s social media accounts with the hashtag #BoycottAgaBeaMovie.

Abi Aquino (@andaquino) said she had planned to watch the movie but the “GGV” guesting changed her mind: “I refuse to support people who have myopic view of how democracy works. FYI, Mr. Aga Muhlach, having an opposition is part of any democracy.”

One @MeteorCrissy said she would rather eat out than watch the movie after the actors’ statements.

In response, some have further promoted the movie, such as former Presidential Communications Asec. Mocha Uson who felt that Muhlach hadn’t said anything wrong.

Image: Screengrab via Facebook/@Mochablogger

“A decent person will NOT ‘collaborate’ with state-sponsored exterminations; with corrupt officials, with no accountability; with people who caused inflation,” argued one Markus Villa (@makeapoint690).

“Criticizing any of the President’s wrongdoings is part of his job as a Senator and as a Filipino citizen, so anong sinasabi mo diyan (what are you saying) Aga Muhlach?!?” said one @elyasjuan.

https://twitter.com/elyasjuan/status/1052941509841031168

Alonzo, Muhlach and Vice have yet to comment on the matter.

Aga Muhlach has forayed into politics before, running in 2013 under the Liberal Party for Congress. But it would appear that Muhlach also has ties with the President since Duterte himself visited the Muhlach family during the wake of the actor’s father last May. JB

RELATED STORIES:

History Maker Aga Muhlach is no history buff

Lea Salonga draws flak for questioning anger over inflation

Gretchen Ho explains importance of TV hosts, journos asking hard-hitting questions

Read more...