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

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.” 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.”

“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.(Blanco, ps)