A SANGGUNIANG Bayan member from Coron, Palawan, proposed to declare influencers Rosemarie “Rosmar” Peñamora Tan and Rendon Labador “persona non grata” following a recent viral incident.
The issue first began when Jho Cayabyab Trinidad, a mayoral staff from Coron, Palawan, made a Facebook post accusing the social media influencers of exploiting Coron residents for content.
The vlog supposedly depicted the influencers handing out groceries to the residents as they promote tourism on the island.
Due to their displeasure over Trinidad’s Facebook post, Tan and Labrador went to the office of Coron Mayor Marjo Reyes.
A viral video of Rendon Labrador shouting and pointing at Trinidad then went viral.
Declaration of persona non grata
Following the incident, Trinidad issued a public apology to the social media influencers.
Despite this, Coron municipality board member John Patrick Reyes shared a copy of proposed resolution on Facebook, where the two influencers were proposed to be declared persona non grata in the municipality of Coron.
“Coronians, eto na po ang resolution na ihahain sa next regular session declaring ‘Rosmar’ and Rendon Labador persona non-grata in the municipality of Coron,” he wrote.
The reason for this was due to Labrador’s behavior where he “disrespectfully confronted” an employee of the Office of the Vice Mayor Jho Cayabyab Trinidad in public.
Reyes also added how Rosmar, who wrote “never again Coron, Palawan” on her Facebook page “further aggravated the situation” by “contributing to negative publicity and tarnishing the image of the municipality.”
Meanwhile, the legislator urged Trinidad to file a complaint against the two influencers and to provide the latter with “whatever assistance she needs should she decide to file appropriate charges against the vloggers.”
“Jho Cayabyab Trinidad I suggest mag reklamo sa sa appropriate venues/agencies against these people,” the legislator wrote.
“I would like to strongly recommend to my fellow legislators, VM Ashian and Mayor Marjo; that we provide Ms. Jho Cayabyab Trinidad with whatever assistance she needs should she decide to file appropriate charges against Labador and Rosmar,” Reyes added.
Investigation
Coron mayor Reyes, who was in Puerto Princesa, later posted on Facebook about an investigation on the case.
The official said that he will conduct an investigation on the said incident during his time away.
“Tinitiyak po namin na ang bawat hakbang na aming gagawin ay alinsunod sa mga umiiral na batas at regulasyon. Ang mga taong sangkot sa insidente ay haharap sa nararapat na legal na proseso,” the official said.
Team Malakas apologizes
Rosmar, Rendon, and members of Team Malakas have issued a public apology following the viral incident.
“Pasensya na kay Ma’am Jo, sa munisipyo at lalo na po kay mayor. At syempre po sa bayan po ng Coron, Palawan. Sorry po talaga na parang pinost ko na ‘Never again’ hindi ko po sinasadya na i-generalize po kayo,” Tan said.
“Nagpadala po ako sa bugso ng damdamin at ‘yun po yung pinaka maling ginawa ko and humihingi po ako ng tawad.”
Tan claimed that she regretted posting “Never Again” on her Facebook page and explained that it was because she got carried away with her emotions.
Meanwhile, Labrador explained that the reason behind their actions was that they got hurt over Trinidad’s accusations.
“Gusto ko lang po linawin na pumunta po kami doon sa munisipyo hindi bilang isang celebrity, hindi isang influencer and hindi bilang, lalo na, hindi bilang Rendon Labrador, Rosmar nagrereklamo. Pumunta po kami doon dahil bilang isang Pilipino, simpleng tao na nasaktan sa nangyari dahil sa isang comment ng isang servant,” he explained.
As for the declaration of persona non grata, they said that they will humbly accept the decision of the Coron LGU.
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