AKBAYAN Rep. Perci Cendaña came to the defense of comedian Vice Ganda following his ‘jet ski holiday’ joke, which drew backlash from Duterte supporters who are now calling for Davao City local government to declare the artist persona non grata.
Rep. Cendaña emphasized that truth hits the hardest when it makes people laugh: “Speaking truth to power is most potent when it makes people laugh. Ibig sabihin tagos na tagos at tusok na tusok. Laughter is not only the best medicine, it is also the best wake-up call.”
“At kung sakaling ma-persona non grata ka, keri lang yan. Dahil sa aming puso, Meme, ikaw ay persona bonggang-bongga,” he added.
The Akbayan Representative also thanked Vice Ganda for his brand of comedy, describing it as principled and thought-provoking, a jab at the uncritical support Duterte still receives amidst his apparent condoning of China’s encroachment of the West Philippine Sea:
“Mabuhay ka Meme Vice! Maraming salamat sa pagpapatawa nang may pagmumulat at paninindigan.”
