Yeng Constantino supports Bangsamoro Basic Law, gets online flak
Singer Yeng Constantino is getting flak from netizens for her support of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the centerpiece of the peace deal that the administration of President Benigno Aquino III is finalizing with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Constantino recorded a 20-second video to express her support for the law, which was released by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) September of last year.
The short video has received renewed attention in recent days as the opposition to the BBL continues to intensify.
Some sectors as well as dozens of legislators in both Houses of Congress are now saying that the peace deal with the MILF should be scrapped in the aftermath of the brutal deaths of 44 officers from the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force during an encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25.
“Ang tagumpay ng Bangsamoro ay tagumpay ng bawat Filipinong hangad ang tunay na kapayapaan at kaunlaran,” Constantino said. “Suportahan po natin ang Bangsamoro. Suportahan po natin ang Bangsamoro Basic Law,” she concluded.
The singer is one of OPAPP’s National Ambassadors for Peace, together with apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas, actress/TV host Anne Curtis, young actor Gerald Anderson, and 2013 Miss World Megan Young.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9Wge_n7o7s
Some netizens are criticizing Constantino’s video message on two aspects. While most of them are against the idea of pursuing a peace deal with the Muslim rebels, some also question Constantino’s knowledge of the contents of the BBL as well as her familiarity with the situation in Mindanao. Check out this Facebook thread to read their comments.
Tapping celebrities to drum up public support for government initiatives is nothing new. For example, the administration of United States President Barack Obama asked the help of singers Katy Perry and Jason Derulo to promote his health care law to their social media followers.
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