Camarines Sur Governor Luigi Villafuerte and his girlfriend, actress Yassi Pressman, have found themselves at the center of controversy after netizens criticized the couple for vacationing in Siargao while Typhoon Kristine was ravaging the Bicol region.
Photos of the couple allegedly vacationing in Siargao surfaced online, drawing backlash from netizens who questioned why the governor was prioritizing personal time with Pressman instead of focusing on his constituents during the crisis.
SPOTTED: Mag-amang Governor at Congressman Luigi at LRay Villafuerte ng Camarines Sur, malungkot na stranded sa Siargao dahil sa Bagyong Kristine.
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In response to the criticisms, Camarines Sur Second District Representative LRay Villafuerte came to his son’s defense, denying the accusations that they were vacationing in Siargao during the typhoon.
Villafuerte took to his official Facebook page to address what he called “fake news” spread by their political rivals in a lenghty post.
“[…] Ako daw at si gov luigi ay nasa siargao daw ngayon habang ang Ating mga kababayan ay nag hihirap sa baha! Kasinungalingan at hinde tutoo ito,” his post read.
“Alam ng mga taga camsur na puro panira at daldal lang ang aming mga kalaban at wala natutulong kaya gusto lang nila gumawa ng fake news para siraaan kami,” he added.
Villafuerte expressed frustration over the false claims, emphasizing that the photos circulating online were taken before the typhoon hit.
“Yan picture na kinakalat nila ngayon daw o kahapon nasa siargao kami kasama ang mga sk sa ibat ibang bayan ng camsur. Yan photo in siargao posted kahapon or today was taken Saturday at lahat ng sk nakabalik na ng camsur Monday bago pa nag bagyo,” he clarified.
He went on to slam their political opponents, accusing them of spreading “lies” to damage their reputation and disrupt the relief efforts.
“Lumang style na yan gawa nyo mga ul*l, hinde niyo kaya lokohin mga tao! Ilan election nyo na yan ginagawa para siraaan kami. Alam ng Tao and tutoo, mas alam ng tao ang fake news!” Villafuerte said.
The congressman also pointed out the efforts of his family in providing relief and rescue operations, stating that they were focused on action and solutions rather than engaging in negativity.
‘Tignan nyo na lang mga post ng kalaban namin sa pulitika. Puro post ng mga problema sa baha, problema sa lugar, nanghihingi pa ng mga donasyon na pera. I kumpara niyo sa mga post namin ni Gov Luigi Villafuerte at Cong Migz Villafuerte. Puro aksyon at solusyon sa problema,” stressed Villafuerte.
He vowed to continue posting updates on their ongoing rescue and relief operations to counter the false accusations.
“Para kontrahin ang mga fake news at panira. Ngayon araw, tuloy tuloy post ko ng mga updates para malaman ng mga tao ang walang hinto naming mga gawa at Aksyon. Kung Pwede lang every 5 minutes mag post kami updates dahil tuloy tuloy rescue at relief operations namin.”
He also called on their political rivals to stop the smear campaign and instead help in addressing the crisis, writing, “Mas gusto namin mas mag hanap ng solusyon keysa mag post pero ginawa ko to para mapa Tunayan na mga sinungaling talaga at mga desperado na aming mga kalaban sa pulitika !👎”
Villafuerte concluded his post by urging fake news peddlers to help instead of engaging in smear campaigns, warning that their actions would bring bad karma back to them.
“Sa mga Sinungaling at ul*l, tumulong na lang kayo, tigilan nyo na yan mga panira nyo, mga pa epal nyo sa fb dahil yan gawa nyo may karma at balik sainyo yan!”
Meanwhile, Gov. Luigi posted a video on social media showing him actively participating in relief operations for the affected areas in his province.
The governor also expressed gratitude to national government personnel and local emergency response teams for their contributions during the calamity.
“I thank the uniformed personnel of the National Government, emergency response groups of LGU’s for their service & saving many lives. Mabuhay kamo. I also commend members of the community that gave a helping hand,” read the younger Villafuerte’s caption.
“Rest assured, we are on the ground doing everything we are capable of,” he added.
“We are all working together as one province, one community, & one country to overcome this calamity,” the governor ended his post.
