Naglabas ng paliwanag ang tanggapan ni Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan tungkol sa viral video na nagpapakita sa kanyang sumasayaw habang napapaligiran ng mga taong nagsasaboy at nagpapaulan ng peso bills.
Mapapanood din sa video ang pagsasaboy ni Tan ng peso bills — 20, 50, 100 denominations — na tinapak-tapakan nila ng kanyang kapareha sa pagsasayaw.
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Umani ng mga batikos ang viral video ni Tan.
Sentimyento ng marami, hindi akma ang ganitong uri ng pagdiriwang sangkot ang mga politiko lalupa't nahaharap ang bansa sa isyu ng korapsyon sa pamahalaan at government officials.
Kabilang ang broadcaster na si Arnold Clavio sa mga pumuna sa insidente.
Sa pamamagitan ng Instagram post, ipinaalala ni Clavio ang batas na ipinatutupad ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) tungkol sa wastong pagtrato sa pera.
Saad ni Clavio sa kanyang Instagram post (published as is): “Isang viral video ni Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan kasama si Hermano Mayor Ruben Panaligan na nagsasayaw habang umuulan ng peso bills mula sa ilang opisyales at kaibigan.
“Ang footage ay kuha sa Samar Convention Center noong Sabado.
“Ito ba ay isang tradisyon? Nararapat ba pagdiriwang na ito sa kabila ng may pagkuwestyon ng paglustay sa kaban ng bayan ng mga halal na opisyal? Gayong ang Lalawigan ng Samar ay isa rin sa madalas na malubog sa baha.
“Ang Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) ay nagbabala sa publiko na ang sadyang pagsira, pagsira, pagpunit, pagsusunog o pagsira ng mga perang papel at barya ng Pilipinas ay maaaring parusahan ng multang hindi hihigit sa PHP20,000.00 at/o pagkakulong ng hindi hihigit sa limang taon, sa ilalim ng Presidential Decree No. 247.
“Binabanggit din sa batas, ‘banknotes and coins are issued for circulation as medium of exchange and to utilize them for other purposes does not speak well of the due respect and dignity befitting our currency.’
“Sabi sa batas, dapat ay may kaukulang respeto sa ating pera — papel man o barya.”
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Nagpupuyos naman sa galit ang Facebook post ng screenwriter na si RJ Nuevas (published as is): "Ano'ng kaululan ito??? Napaka-sureal!!!
"Donasyon para sa flood control? Bente-sinkuwenta pesos? Ano magagawa niyan?
"Di ko gets! Pupulutin nila kalaunan at idodonate sa flood control projects???..."
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GOVERNOR SHAREE ANN TAN ISSUES STATEMENT
Ngayong Lunes ng hapon, Agosto 25, inilabas ng tanggapan ni Governor Tan ang kanilang paglilinaw tungkol sa pinag-uusapang isyu.
Nakasaad sa statement na ang kumalat na video ay wala umanong kinalaman sa anumang programa o proyekto ng gobyerno.
Kuha raw ang video sa "Hermano Night of the Catbalogan City Fiesta," kung saan ginawa nila ang tradisyunal na "Kuratsa dance."
Saad ng kampo ni Tan: “The Office of the Governor of Samar wishes to set the record straight regarding the video that has been the subject of misleading reports.
"The footage was no taken during a 'lavish dinner' nor was it connected to government programs or projects. It was taken during the Hermano Night of the Catbalogan City Fiesta, a community celebration where the traditional Kuratsa dance was performed.
“The Kuratsa is a cultural tradition long practiced in Samar and Leyte, from the city centers to even the farthest barangays. It is not limited to fiestas but is performed in many occasions such as weddings, birthdays, school events,and other community gatherings.
“Part of this custom is the 'gala' or money showering, which symbolizes generosity and community spirit.It is no way to display of luxury or wealth, but a practice deeply embedded in our way of celebrating faith and togetherness.
“In this instance, the Hermano Mayor 2025 of the Feast of St. Bartholomew, Mr. Ruben Panaligan, served as the host of the celebration. Governor Sharee Ann Tan was an invited guest who took part in the Kuratsa as part of the tradition.
“It must also be highlighted that it was not only the Governor or the Hermano Mayor who took part in the gala, almost all of the people present during Hermano Night joyfully gave as part of the tradition."
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Nilinaw rin ng kampo ng gobernadora na ang nalikom na salapi ay ido-donate daw nila sa ilang simbahan sa Catbalogan City.
Iginagalang daw nila ang sentimyento ng iba na dapat iwasan ng public officials ang ganitong mga aktibidad.
Nakikilahok daw si Tan sa mga ganitong tradisyon hindi upang ipangalandakan ang kayamanan at kapangyarihan nito, ngunit upang magbigay-pugay sa pagkakakilanlan ng mga Samarnon.
Pahayag ng kampo ni Tan: “Most importantly, all proceeds from the gala were donated to the St. Bartholomew Parish Church, the Diocesan Marian Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish of Ubanon, the Our Lady of Ransom Chapel of Barangay Mercedes, and the Our Lady of Salvation Chapel of Canlapwas, all in Catbalogan City.
“We recognize that some may feel that public officials must avoid joining activities such as the Kuratsa in order to remain sensitive the people’s concerns. We deeply respect this view.
“Governor Tan joins these cultural traditions not to display wealth or power but to honor the Samarnon identity and to support the causes they represent, in this case, the local church and its communities.
“We acknowledge the sentiments of our people regarding broader issues in governance, and we remain committed to accountability, transparency,and improving public service delivery. These valid concerns guide us every day as we continue to strengthen programs for the welfare of every Samarnon.
“As we honor cultural traditions, let us also remain grounded in their true meaning, community, generosity and solidarity. These values are the same principles that guide the Provincial Government of Samar in serving our people faithfully.”
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