Ronnie Liang explained his participation in the recent ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ Kick-Off Rally held at Quirino Grandstand last week, on January 28, 2024. He was among the many entertainers, artists, and singers who took part in the event, organized by the Marcos administration and its allies. Despite the diverse lineup of performers, concerns arose among the public regarding the expenses incurred for the kick-off rally, particularly since it utilized funds from the public.
President Marcos took the opportunity during the event to outline several platforms under the ‘Bagong Pilipinas’, emphasizing a commitment to change. However, doubts and criticisms emerged as allegations of the rally being populated by paid attendees surfaced. Images and videos circulated, claiming that individuals were allegedly paid to attend the rally, with an estimated attendance of nearly half a million people. This fueled public outrage, as accusations mounted that public funds were misused for the event organized by the Marcos administration and its allies.
In response to these concerns, Ronnie Liang, a reservist of the Philippine Army, clarified his role and participation in the rally. He highlighted that as part of his duty as a reservist, he is obligated to perform whenever called upon, without charging a talent fee. Instead, he adheres to a standard rate, which includes expenses such as toll fees, gasoline, and meals. Moreover, Liang emphasized that he, along with his fellow performers Geneve Cruz and Arci Muñoz, who are also reservists of the Philippine Air Force with the rank of sergeant, carry out their responsibilities as part of their commitment to service.
The clarification from Ronnie Liang sheds light on the distinction between his role as a reservist fulfilling his duties and the controversies surrounding the alleged use of public funds for the rally. As public scrutiny intensifies, it remains to be seen how the organizers and participants will address the concerns raised by the public regarding the financial aspects and integrity of the New Philippines Kick-Off Rally.
Gusto ko lang po linawin na tuwing na-iimbitahan po ako sa mga event ng Malacañang o Office of the President, tulad ng Konsierto sa Palasyo o #BagongPilipinas #BagongPilipinasKickOffRally , wala pong talent fee na ibinibigay sa akin (standard rate) (hindi ko lang po alam ang… pic.twitter.com/OIXb4dvYb0
— Ronnie Liang (@ronnieliang) January 29, 2024