The camp of Kapuso Comedy Queen Ai Ai Delas Alas has responded regarding her ‘persona non grata status’ in Quezon City, through her lawyer.
It may be recalled that outgoing Quezon City District 4 Councilor Ivy Lagman filed a resolution, declaring Ai Ai Delas Alas and VinCentiments director Darryl Yap persona non grata, for their satirical campaign video for QC mayoral candidate and Anakalusugan partylist Rep Mike Defensor.
According to a report by the Philippine Entertainment Portal or PEP, Ai Ai Delas Alas allegedly left it to her lawyer to respond to the said resolution, which was approved by the Quezon City Council.
Here is Ai Ai Delas Alas’ full official statement, by his attorney Atty. Charo V. Rejuso-Munsayac.
“Today, my client, Ms. AiAi Delas Alas-Sibayan has received information through social media, that a Resolution declaring her persona non grata was approved by the Quezon City council.
“While we are yet to receive a copy of the resolution, it was made clear that the focus was made on the alleged ‘malicious and unscrupulous defacing of the official seal of Quezon City’ claimed to have appeared on a video posted on the Facebook page of Vincentiments, where my client portrayed a character named ‘Ligaya Delmonte’ ”.
“The video which circulated during the campaign period is clearly a satire, a parody. It is not intended to be a statement of fact and is clearly not meant to be taken seriously by the audience.
“The video was obviously intended to be watched and taken as a whole, all elements being fictitious, including the seal behind the character portrayed by my client.
“It is unfortunate that the city council is nitpicking to find basis to curb freedom of expression in the guise of defending a perceived dishonor.
Ai Ai Delas Alas responds to her ‘persona non grata’ status in Quezon City
“We strongly condemn this act of the Quezon City council which endangers the protection granted by the freedom of expression for artists, entertainers, content creators, and comedians who use satire or parody to express sentiments or criticize public acts or figures.”
“This also endangers their livelihood since it appears to be a form of cancellation making them wary to take on similar works in fear that public officials will retaliate in similar fashion.”
“As public officers, the members of the Quezon City council should be more prudent and circumspect in the exercise of their discretion and should not take hasty actions which could adversely affect my client and cause undue anxiety to her family and friends.”
“While we believe that the resolution does not physically affect my client, we will be monitoring every statement made against her to ensure that my client’s rights are protected.”
Meanwhile, Lagman clarified the scope of his resolution to Ai Ai Delas Alas and Yap. According to the report, Lagman only wanted to make a “sincere public apology” to the people of Quezon City for two of what they did.
The two are still free to go to any place in Quezon City because it is only a resolution and not covered by the ordinance. They also do not face penalties or fines imposed. It is said that it is only “symbolic” that the QC people do not like what they did in the satire campaign video.
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