Vice Ganda calls out robbers of money, dreams on ‘It’s Showtime’

Vice Ganda in an episode of “It’s Showtime.” Image: Screengrab from YouTube/ABS-CBN Entertainment

Vice Ganda is further speaking up about the alleged corruption in government, calling them thieves who robbed people “of their money and dreams.”

At his noontime show “It’s Showtime” on Monday, Vice Ganda threw shade at politicians and government officials who are allegedly involved in corruption as he interacted with contestants of the “Laro Laro Pick” segment who he said chose to eke out an honest living despite poverty.

One contestant, Ronron, narrated that he started working as a porter to earn enough money to sustain his family. The actor-comedian expressed admiration for people like Ronron, saying his job requires a lot of discipline to be able to earn enough to feed their families.

Vice Ganda then used that as an opening to call out certain “corrupt thieves” who robbed their fellow countrymen of several opportunities and hopes to live.

“Ito ang mga ninanakawan. Diba? Ang korapsyon ay hindi lamang pagnanakaw ng salapi ng bayan. Ito ang pagnanakaw ng pag-asa, ito ay pagnanakaw ng pangarap, at ito ang pagnanakaw ng magandang posibilidad. Ang dami nang namatay dahil sa pagnanakaw niyo ng pondo ng bayan,” he said.

(This are the people we’re stealing from. Right? Corruption is not only stealing from the country’s funds. It is stealing people’s hopes, dreams, and good opportunities. Many people died because you stole the people’s money.)

The “And the Breadwinner Is…” star also reiterated that corruption also affects parents, especially those who are unable to have enough money for medical treatments and a good home, among other things.

“Maraming mag-asawa ang naghiwalay dahil sa problema ng kahirapan kaya hindi lang pera ang ninanakaw niyo, kundi buhay. Kaya ikaw, balikan mo ang mga nagnakaw sa iyo. Mababalikan natin sila sa anong pamamaraan, sa pagsasalita, sa pagboto nang tama, at sa di pagpayag na patuloy nilang gawin sa atin,” he added, while making a seeming reminder to the contestant.

(A lot of married couples are separated due to the struggle brought by poverty, not only because of the money you stole, but also their lives. This is why you have to get back at those who stole from you. You can get back at them in a lot of ways, through speaking up, voting for the right people, and not allowing for stealing to happen.)

Meanwhile, with another contestant, Vice Ganda again spoke up against corruption as he recalled a December 2017 incident where a supermarket clerk named Paul Matthew Tanglao was jailed for stealing corned beef. He was eventually freed by his mother on bail.

This is not the first time Vice spoke up against the controversy. He also called out those who were allegedly corrupt on his social media platforms, where he referred to them as thieves.

Aside from Vice, other celebrities who spoke up about the matter include Anne Curtis, Alden Richards, Jodi Sta. Maria, and Mika Salamanca, to name a few.

The issue of corruption in government is gaining ground following the discovery of several billions of pesos’ worth of undelivered flood control projects awarded by the Department of Public Works and Highways to unscrupulous contractors, and allegedly in collusion with government officials. /edv