Social media personalities Rosmar Tan, and Rendon Labrador may soon be declared persona non grata in Coron, Palawan after their controversial confrontation with a local employee at the town mayor’s office.
The vloggers, who refer to themselves as “#TeamMalakas,” went to the office of Coron Mayor Marjo Reyes, who was in Puerto Princesa at the time, to address a comment made online by Jho Cayabyab Trinidad, a municipal staff member of Reyes.
Trinidad’s post, which she shared on her personal Facebook page, accused them of “exploiting” the people of Coron for their vlog and also complained that Rendon’s group did not provide any assistance to her colleagues who helped at the event.
She further noted that despite a long wait, some people did not receive the promised aid from the vloggers.
“They waited for several hours until they starved. The staff even assisted you, but you did not give them a single centavo,” Trinidad wrote.
Offended by the accusation, Tan responded with a Facebook post, stating that they were unprepared for the unexpectedly large turnout at their charity event, which necessitated assistance from police and municipal personnel.
Furthermore, Rendon and Rosmar personally confronted Jho, which was captured in a now-viral video where Labrador can be seen yelling at and pointing at the calm female staff member during the incident.
Trinidad has since issued an apology for her comment in a separate video.
However, some have criticized the vloggers’ behavior as inappropriate, particularly given the setting of the mayor’s office.
In response to the incident, Juan Patricio Eyes, a member of the municipality’s Sangguniang Bayan, announced on Facebook that he plans to propose a resolution to declare Rosmar and Labador persona non grata in Coron.
A declaration of persona non grata means that the individuals will be considered unwelcome in the area.
Mayor Reyes, through a Facebook post, expressed his displeasure with the incident, particularly as it occurred in her absence, and ordered an investigation into the matter.
In response to the investigation, Rendon thanked the mayor on behalf of Team Malakas and expressed their support for Coron.
Following his acknowledgment of the mayor’s action, the self-proclaimed motivational speaker released another statement defending Rosmar, and her husband, Jerome Pamulaklakin, from further controversies.
“Gusto kong malaman ninyo na hindi ko kaya na may makitang tao na nasasaktan sa paligid ko. Hindi deserve ni Rosmar ang masaktan at siraan, napakabuti ng pagkatao niyan. Walang ginawa yung mag asawa kundi mag isip palagi saan tutulong,” he asserted.
His post quickly turned apologetic, acknowledging any unintended hurt caused by his remarks and expressing remorse for anyone who was offended.
“Humihingi ako ng pasensya kung napasobra ang aking ginawa sa video. Wala akong intensyong masama, kung may mga taong nasaktan man at hindi natuwa humihingi ako ng pasensya.”
Labrador’s plea for understanding extended to the local government of Coron, urging them not to involve Rosmar, and offering himself to face the repercussions alone if necessary.
“Pakiusap ko lang sa Mayor at LGU ng Coron, Palawan na huwag nalang idamay si Rosmar. Ako nalang ang tatanggap ng PERSONA NON GRATA kung yan ang gusto ninyong mangyari,”
“Accountable ako sa lahat ng actions ko,” he affirmed, “Ako ay nag babagong buhay pero ang prinsipyo ko at paninindigan para sa tama ay hinding hindi mag babago.
Rosmar also penned a brief apology on her official Facebook page in response to the viral incident and the barrage of online criticisms against her and Rendon.
The cosmetic businesswoman defended her fellow content creator against claims that he is a bad influence on her, stating, “Madami din ako nabasa na bakit sumasama daw ako kay Kuya Rendon, nahawa daw tuloy ako.”
“Guys, pasensya na na-trigger lang talaga ako… Nakasama namin si Kuya Rendon at mabait din naman talaga siya,” Tan defended Labrador.
“Nag usap usap na kami Team Malakas para maiayos mga mali na nagawa namin. Again pasensya na po sa mga naapektuhan. Nasaktan kami sa nangyari pero aminado kami na nagkamali din kami tao lang. Patawan,” Rosmar concluded her statement.
