Politicians, please don’t try too hard to seem cool.
It could lead to something really embarrassing — or worse, inappropriate — like what happened with re-electionist Senator Edgardo “Sonny” Angara’s recent tweet about the ongoing water crisis.
He tweeted in a mix of English and Filipino on Friday: “It’s hard to [have] Sexy Time if you’re using a water dipper lol #shower together #conservewater #theresnowater”
Angara, who ranks 3rd to 9th places in the senatorial polls, added some pretty suggestive emojis of two people in love, a monkey shielding its eyes, and water emojis.
https://twitter.com/sonnyangara/status/1106410438219030528
While the tweet was obviously meant to be funny, it backfired pretty hard on him.
Many households in Metro Manila have been experiencing controversial water interruptions ever since the beginning of the month. Those who usually use showers are forced to store water in buckets and do the more traditionally Filipino practice of using a tabo or “dipper” to bathe.
READ: Dry spell: La Mesa Dam that supplies Metro Manila’s water now in critical level
It’s a serious and touchy subject so netizens were obviously not happy with what Angara said.
“I see, Sonny Angara is not hiding anymore. His personal tweets show character—bad character,” said @macronikki. “Why should we even vote for this guy?!?!? #NoToAngara”
I see, Sonny Angara is not hiding anymore. His personal tweets show character—bad character.
Why should we even vote for this guy?!?!? #NoToAngara pic.twitter.com/yFbcwDBFhM
— Bonanafana Fonikki (@macronikki) March 16, 2019
“Dear Sonny Angara, stay away from Twitter. You are terrible at it,” said @13thFool.
Dear Sonny Angara, stay away from Twitter. You are terrible at it.
— Emilio (@13thFool) March 17, 2019
@kaeofficial tweeted, “Manila: residents suffering from a water crisis, can’t go to work or school, hospitals cutting patients
Sonny Angara, a senator: cool. Perfect time to make a joke about sex in the shower.”
Manila: residents suffering from a water crisis, can’t go to work or school, hospitals cutting patients
Sonny Angara, a senator: cool. Perfect time to make a joke about kantutan sa shower 👍
— kæ (@kaeofficial) March 15, 2019
@dumidyeypee said: “[This is a] [l]ighthearted joke? [It’s] [i]nsensitive, inappropriate and unnecessary.”
Lighthearted joke? Insensitive, inappropriate and unneccessary
— JP Tanyag (@dumidyeypee) March 15, 2019
Twitter user @dennismari said in a mix of English and Filipino: “So just get through the suffering of other people through humor?”
Idaan nalang sa katatawanan ang paghihirap ng ibang tao?
— MariVodka (@dennismari) March 15, 2019
Angara responded, saying: “We’re all in this together and we will come up with a solution.”
Magkasama tayo lahat dito at gagawan natin ng solusyon 👍🏼
— Sonny Angara (@sonnyangara) March 15, 2019
@itsmikerebuyas shot back: “You’re part of the problem, idiot.”
Kasama ka sa problema, tanga
— MICHAEL! (@itsmikerebuyas) March 15, 2019
@danyelito9 shared images of people filling up water with buckets.
“Contemplate on the plight of your fellow countrymen because of the water crisis. Then check your tweet again and let us know what you feel.”
Stare at this image. Contemplate on the plight of your fellow kababayans because of the water crisis. Then check your tweet again and let us know what you feel. pic.twitter.com/vNayOd6kMB
— Danyelito Mucho (@danyelito9) March 15, 2019
“Sir. This is actually a serious problem for those affected and it’s kind of insensitive to pass this off as a joking matter,” said @Legally_K.
Sir. This is actually a serious problem for those affected and it’s kind of insensitive to pass this off as a joking matter.
— K (@Legally_K) March 15, 2019
“Because you want to be cool for the election, you looked even more useless,” said @HopiaAnonymous.
Sa sobrang gusto mong mag pa cool para sa election. Mas nagmumuka kang inutil. Umayos naman po kayo sir
— AJ 👽 (@HopiaAnonymous) March 15, 2019
The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) earlier said that the water shortage is due to high demand brought by an increase in population. Manila Water, the water provider that established the water interruptions, said its limited supply was caused by the drought, GMA News reported.
They scheduled the interruptions so their supply would last until the end of the summer season in June. Manila Water services the eastern part of Metro Manila. Maynilad, which services the western zone, is not affected by the alleged lack of water supply.
People have become antsy because of the water interruptions, especially because the government can’t seem to solve the problem. Some have even alleged that the government is purposely withholding the water supply.
Last week, government officials pushed for the approval of a China-funded dam project called the Kaliwa Dam in Infanta, Quezon province. This, even though environmentalists have protested against it as they believe it will destroy the biodiversity in the Siera Madre mountains. They said it could also displace communities living in the provinces of Quezon and Rizal.
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