Now Trending: Mrs. Cynthia Villar

I was supposed to create a blog post regarding EDSA 27, but I find that a post in relation to the derogatory remarks to the nursing profession of former Las Piñas Representative and now Liberal Party Senatorial Candidate Mrs. Cynthia Villar in the "Pagsubok ng mga Kandidato" aired last February 23 on GMA NewsTV is more timely.

Here is the video.

I wasn't able to watch the said episode as it aired on National TV but the video has created a stir among nurses and non-nurses alike and became viral in several social media sites including Facebook and Twitter. 

Yes, it may be a given fact that Mrs. Villar had limited time (30 seconds) to answer the question asked by UP Professor Solita "Winnie" Monsod, but wasn't she together with the other senatoriables briefed that they would only be given such time?

Her response to the question regarding the CHED's memorandum on closing several low-performing schools is clearly on a businesswoman's perspective.After all, she wouldn't be dubbed as Mrs. HanepBuhay for no reason.

"Ang nangyari noon, binigyan nila ng permit yung mga schools to open, ng CHED. Tapos gusto nila ipasara, nakapag-invest na yung mga may-ari ng schools sa kanilang mga facilities"

However, she could have thought of her response more deliberately knowing that the issue raised is of a crucial and critical concern.

Moreover, this statement made by Mrs. Villar belittling the capacity of Filipino nurses caused the netizens to burst in fury.

"HINDI NAMAN KAILANGAN ANG NURSE AY MATAPOS NG BSN, kasi itong ating mga nurses, GUSTO LANG NILA MAGING "ROOM NURSE." Sa America or sa other countries, ano lang sila, YUNG PARANG MANG-AALAGA. HINDI NAMAN SILA KAILANGAN GANOON KAGALING"

If I may just ask, has Mrs. Villar or any of the members of her family been confined in a hospital and was assigned an incompetent nurse? This remark is truly one that has not been fully thought of.


AYNLA President and CEO, Nr. Alvin Dakis on his blog, The Nightingale Chronicles posted this challenge to Mrs. Villar, 

"I challenge Mrs. Villar to join me and spend a day in a room as a nurse - that is the Operating Room, Delivery Room, ICU or Emergency Room. We would be so glad for you to work with us and show to the people of the Philippines, how a Cynthia Villar works with the people."

An online petition has been made by the Philippine Nurses Association of United Kingdom following their Official Statement asking for an unconditional apology from Mrs. Cynthia Villar. Sign the petition here. 

Mareng Winnie Monsod's face shows a 
dismay on Mrs. Villar's responses

Meanwhile. Mrs. Villar on her Official Facebook Page posted, 

"I have only the deepest respect and admiration for Filipino nurses, Kung nakasakit ako ng damdamin ninyo, humihingi ako ng dispensa. Nagkulang kasi ako sa oras sa aking pagsagot sa medyo komplikadong tanong. Sa lahat ng mga nursing students at mga nurses natin, iginagalang ko kayo at nais ko lang ay hind maipit ang pag-aaral ng mga nursing students dahil sa hindi pagkakaunawaan ng mga may-ari ng eskwelahan at mga pinuno ng CHED noong mga panahong yon."

Yet again, as they say, the damage has been done.

Now that the May 2013 polls is just around the corner, let me ask the voting public this question, "Is this the kind of legislator that we would want elected in the Upper House?" Now think again...