PEOPLE’S PULSE: The Vice Ganda-PMPC award controversy

MANILA, Philippines - One of the most talked about issues of the week is Vice Ganda winning the Best Actor award at the PMPC Star Awards for movie.

The comedian won the best actor award for his 2013 Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy,” defeating Joel Torre and Piolo Pascual for “On The Job,” and Governor ER Ejercito for “Boy Golden: Shoot to Kill.”

After the awards night, the best actor award result made a buzz after columnist-radio host Jobert Sucaldito released a statement regarding the results.

“Ang malungkot, ayaw nilang ipakita ang tunay na resulta ng botohan nila — itinatago nila,” Sucaldito adds. “Kasi nga, if I had 22 committed members, ilan na lang ang natitira sa kanila? 16?

“In short, I already have the numbers. Kaya lang, since ayaw nilang ipakita ang tunay na resulta ng votes, nanalo si Vice Ganda dahil kontrolado nila ang results.”

Related: Movie columnist Jobert Sucaldito airs sentiment over Vice Ganda’s Star Awards victory

A day after Sucaldito’s statement, PMPC then released a reply and denied the vote buying allegations.

In its statement the group said, “We strongly refute the said allegation.  The voting members gave their utmost trust and confidence to the winners in their respective categories, thereby making the results final, uncontestable, and sacred.”

Related: PMPC stands firm on Vice Ganda’s best actor win amid vote-buying claims

“There will be forces that will try to destroy the credibility and reputation of the club, but the PMPC will remain committed to its objectives, and no amount of intimidation and coercion can shake its foundation,” they added.

The netizens react

With the statements of both sides out, the netizens also have a say regarding the result for the best actor award.

Vice Ganda’s fans and those who have seen the movie believe that he deserved the award.

Vice Ganda You Deserve the PMPC Awards... Good Job And Lot Of Awrads to come.. God Bless pic.twitter.com/6XEUHD5x

— Vice Ganda-Viceral (@VGSupporters) November 19, 2012

@vicegandako Vice ganda for me for best actor #GBBT #30thpmpcStarawardsformovies #pmpc #pmpc2014

— Glelhov (@Glelhov) March 7, 2014

Meanwhile, some believe Sucaldito’s accusations.

PMPC: First, you chose Richard Yap over Dennis & Tom, and now you chose Vice Ganda over Joel Torre for best actor! #Credibility101

— jared miguel roxas (@iamjaredroxas) March 10, 2014

Of course Vice Ganda wins Best Actor. That's sooooooo PMPC. Siya lang pala makakatalo sa reign ni ER Ejercito sa Star Awards. LOL.

— Nicole Latayan (@nikowl) March 9, 2014