The Statement of Councilor Ivy Lagman

As the principal author of the very controversial resolution declaring Ms. Ai Ai delas Alas and content creator Darryl Yap as persona non grata in Quezon City, let me state that the bashing, negative comments, body shaming attacks and insults hurled at me have only strengthened my resolve to pursue what I believe is right.

Indeed, as President-elect Bong Bong Marcos himself said: “If you’re making your enemies angry, you’re doing a great job.” It is unfortunate that legal counsel Munsayac degraded the issuance of the Resolution passed by the majority of the QC Council as “nitpicking”, haste, without consideration for the sensibilities that were rightfully offended by the act of disrespect her client committed.

Ironically, her client considers herself a resident of Quezon City, multi-awarded anc much lauded city. As a QCitizen, she shares in its prestige, but when the price is right, she is the first to defame it.

I, as an elected official, cannot turn a blind eye to what she and her cohorts have done. It is the mandate of every elected official to preserve the integrity of public office regardless if the same is against popular opinion.

This mandate was exercised by then former Mayor now VP Elect Sara Duterte, when in 2014 she urged the Davao City Council to declare comedian Ramon Bautista as persona for jokes the people of Davao found offensive. She did this to preserve and uphold the integrity of the city and its people.

Ramon Bautista had the decency and humility to apologize to the Davaoeños who had felt slighted by his innuendos. Sadly, Atty Munsayac’s client has allowed arrogance to subvert humility. Taking the video in its whole context as Counsel Munsayac stated, I wish to be clarified - is this the new norm of political satire that the honorable legal counsel wishes to normalize? A political satire anchored on superficial body shaming rather than real issues of greater social relevance? Disrespect of symbols held dear by people such as the official seal of the city in which they live. If so, this is tantamount to disrespecting other symbols that people hold sacred, such as representations of their religion and their country. Is the Quezon City council not allowed to exercise the same authority that the Davao City Council did way back in 2014? Counsel Munsayac’s assertion, which he says is anchored on the ideals of free speech, which he implies has no bounds, contrasts sharply with the advocacy of the incoming Secretary of Education who yearns for a disciplined and civilized youth.To all my critics, I follow the advise of our incoming President who said: “Forgive your enemies. Nothing annoys them more.” Your words sadly have no effect on me, but the deeds of those you defend, will be forever etched in the collective memories of the people of Quezon City.