Solon in PRC video says ‘no license’ remark for not knowing Bong Go a joke

MANILA, Philippines — A party-list solon said he did not mean to “offend or degrade” new agricultural and biosystems engineers in an event Tuesday.

A viral video showed Rep. John Bertiz (ACTS OFW party-list), who was speaking on behalf of Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, addressing the new engineers.

He asked the oath takers, “Bong Go ako nang Bong Go, kakilala niyo ba kung sino ang sinasabi ko (I kept on saying Bong Go. Do you know who I’m talking about)?”

When some members of the crowd answered in the negative, Bertiz suggested not to push through with the mass oath-taking ceremonies.

“Oh wag na nating ituloy ‘to. Wag na nating bigyan ng mga lisensya ‘to. Ulitin ko ha: ‘yung di nakakakilala kay Sec. Bong Go walang PRC license mamaya (Let’s not push through with this. Those who do not know Go will not get their [Professional Regulation Commission] license later),” the party-list representative said.

His remarks drew the ire of the public, with some saying that Bertiz’s inappropriate statements insult the new engineers’ achievements.

‘Not his intention to offend’

In a statement Wednesday, Bertiz said sorry for his remarks.

“I didn't mean to anger, belittle, or offend in any way. It was an inappropriate joke, and I really feel sorry for it,” he said.

He explained that he had asked the crowd if they know Go “hoping to liven them up.”

“When someone shouted, 'Hindi (No),' that is when I cracked the joke, 'Ang hindi nakakakilala sa kanya, hindi bibigyan ng lisensya.' It was more of like, 'Ang hindi pumalakpak, mamamatay (Those who will not clap will die)' kind of joke in stand-up comedies.”

Bertiz also made it clear that President Rodrigo Duterte’s aide “has nothing to do with it.”

Philstar.com sought Go’s comment on the matter but he has yet to reply to the request.

Go, who is believed to be running for a Senate seat in the 2019 midterm elections, is increasing his visibility through tarpaulins and paraphernalia appearing all over the country that bears his name, face and slogan.

He placed 22nd to 27th in the new Pulse Asia senatorial survey.

READ: New health cards with Bong Go, Duterte’s faces spotted at PGH

Bongbong at dentists’ oath-taking

Last July, defeated vice presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was introduced as “soon to be vice president” at the PRC’s oath-taking ceremony for dentists.

New dentists shared their dismay that a dictator’s son was the guest speaker.

Others, meanwhile, questioned the way Marcos was introduced as the future vice president.

READ: Not all smiles at dentists’ oath-taking where Bongbong Marcos was guest of honor