Image: Instagram/@ethelbooba
National funnywoman Ethel Booba had something to say after Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chair Nur Misuari threatened to declare war if the Philippine government fails to pursue federalism.
Misuari’s threat came during a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte last March 19, their second in less than a month since the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. As per Duterte, Misuari wants federalism so the Moros can reclaim the lands taken away from them by Spanish and American colonizers.
Ethel last March 22 took to Twitter, her default platform when it comes to airing her sentiments, and asked in her usual comical self why Misuari won’t just run for the Senate.
“Gusto pala ni Misuari na magconvert tayo sa Federalism eh bakit hindi sya tumakbo sa Senado para makatulong sya sa pagpapasa nito at hindi yung mananakot siya. Charot!” she said.
(Misuari wants us to convert to federalism, why won’t he just run for the Senate so he can help in passing it into law instead of using threats?)
Gusto pala ni Misuari na magconvert tayo sa Federalism eh bakit hindi sya tumakbo sa Senado para makatulong sya sa pagpapasa nito at hindi yung mananakot siya. Charot!
— Charot! (@IamCharotism) March 22, 2019
Some netizens called out Ethel following her tweet and told her not to make fun of the Moros’ sufferings.
“Only through Federalism can guarantee the fair share of funds in Sulu that’s why they’re rebelling they’ve been robbed off,” one netizen (@ioannesesledieu) said.
Another told Ethel she has not experienced being robbed off of her ancestry.
“[You] weren’t placed in their position, nor experienced being prejudiced/robbed off since the beginning of your family ancestry,” another netizen (@odamrofer) said. “Masakit yan pag ganyan ang tingin [niyo] sa struggle nila (It hurts if that is the way you look at their struggle).”
Ethel, meanwhile, has since replied to the netizens and emphasized that Misuari is threatening a war.
“Their group are threatening a war if our constitution will not change into Federalism,” Ethel replied. “So, who do you think are making fun of our government? Charot!”
Their group are threatening a war if our constitution will not change into Federalism. So, who do you think are making fun of our government? Charot! https://t.co/JtEHQnT9bM
— Charot! (@IamCharotism) March 22, 2019
She also clarified if Misuari wants the Philippines to shift to federalism, then he must do so in the proper channels.
“If you read my tweet carefully malalaman mong sinasabi ko ay if he wants us to change into Federalism edi idaan sa tamang batas,” she said.
(If you read my tweet carefully you will know what I said was if he wants us to change into federalism then it should be done according to the law).
Ma'am if you read my tweet carefully malalaman mong ang sinasabe ko ay if he wants us to change into Federalism edi idaan sa tamang batas. May process yan hindi pwede tatakutin tayo ng gyera. Hindi gaya ng ibang batas yan na kapag pumalpak mabilis maibabalik sa dati. Charot! https://t.co/XwGxQKnmMp
— Charot! (@IamCharotism) March 23, 2019
“May process yan hindi pwede tatakutin tayo ng gyera,” she added. “Hindi gaya ng ibang batas yan na kapag pumalpak mabilis maibabalik sa dati. Charot!”
(There is a process, you can’t just threaten to go to war. This isn’t like any other law that you can revert if it fails. Charot!)
Senators have since frowned on Misuari following his threat to go to war. Senate President Vicente Sotto III wondered if there is a law against threatening the government, while Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon also hoped Misuari does not violate any laws by inciting to sedition and rebellion.
Meanwhile, Duterte has said that he is “in a hurry” to forge a deal with Misuari.
“Here in Mindanao, we were also grappling with so many fronts. I am dealing with the drug problem and at the same time, I am in a hurry to strike a deal with Nur Misuari,” said Duterte during a campaign rally speech of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) on March 26.
Misuari is currently on trial at the Sandiganbayan for two counts of graft and two counts of malversation through falsification of public documents. He is also facing rebellion charges for the Zamboanga siege in 2013. /ra
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