A video of Laguna Gov. Sol Aragones commenting on scholarships went viral on discussion forums.
Filipino Reddit users shared clips of the former newscaster telling her constituents that she noticed their demeanor upon entering the venue.
She then told them they should be grateful that she is not the type to take things personally, adding that she chose to continue their scholarship program instead of cutting it off.
“Napansin ko lang, pagpasok ko, parang medyo natulala ang marami. Ang iba, ayaw tumayo. Ang iba, ayaw pumalakpak. Ang iba, tila nag-iisip, ‘Totoo ba ito?’ Baka ‘yun ang nasa isip niyo. Okay lang. Relax lang kayo. Hindi ba?” Aragones said.
“Hindi niyo kailangang malungkot ngayong araw na ito. Kinakailangan niyong maging masaya. Dahil pinili ni Sol Aragones na hindi mamersonal. Pinili ni Sol Aragones na ibigay ang scholarship ninyo sa halip na putulin ko. Tama ba ‘yon?” she added.
The video was initially posted on TikTok and later reshared in the Reddit communities “r/Philipines” and “r/laguna,” where some Filipinos called her out for comments they perceived as “entitled.”
@safespace_dailyjournalFormer newscaster turned governor tells students they should be happy she didn’t remove their scholarships for not voting or clapping for her♬ original sound – Safe Space – Nagmamahal, Pilipino
“Straight up embarrassing TBH [to be honest]. Someone should call her out because the money funding the scholarship isn’t hers in the first place, nor should she be using the scholarship as a way to threaten children just because they didn’t feel enthusiastic about her arrival,” a Reddit user wrote.
“To tell the people na utang na loob nila sa kanya na ipagpatuloy ang proyekto ng gobyerno (regardless kung project ng past admin) is a power trip. Pinapamukha niya lang na if you don’t align with me, you get nothing. If you don’t clap for me, you won’t eat,” another Redditor said.
“Lakas mang gaslight ahhh. Na para bang utang na loob nila,” a different online user commented.
“Na para bang sarili niyang pera ang ipamimigay na scholarship? Hoy Sol, pera ‘yan ng Laguna, ‘di mo pera ‘yan. Kapal ng fez mo. Last mo na ‘yan. ‘Di ‘yan utang na loob sa’yo ng mga estudyante,” another Pinoy said.
Last September, it was announced that Aragones would continue the scholarship program for 18,000 students in Laguna, vowing that it would remain free from political influence.
She also said that the scholarship benefits would remain intact.
“It’s a yes. May matatanggap pa rin kayo na allowance. Hindi ko naman pera ‘yan. Buwis ito ng mamamayan na dapat mapakinabangan niyo. Ang mahalaga, makapagtapos kayo at maiahon ang pamilya sa hirap,” the governor previously said.
“Hindi dapat kayo nagkakakulay ng pulitika. Ano man ang kulay niyo, susuportahan ko kayo dahil ito ay para sa inyo na buwis ng mamamayan,” she added.
Aragones also confirmed that the students’ allowances would be increased from P5,000 to P6,000, as promised by the previous local administration.
“Hindi ko haharangin ‘yon. Kung P5,000 magiging P6,000, wala akong problema ro’n. Kung ano ang para sa inyo, ibibigay natin ang para sa inyo. Ang lambing ko, gamitin sa pag-aaral dahil kailangan niyong makapagtapos,” she said.
