ACTRESS Gretchen Barretto has defended Pitmaster Foundation chairman Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang, who she said is not in any way involved in politics, and that he is not favoring any candidate for the 2022 elections.
“Hindi nakikialam sa pulitika si Ang,” said Barreto. [Ang does not meddle in politics.]
Barretto issued the statement in reaction to a photo being circulated on social media wherein Ang is made to appear like he is promoting online sabong.
The controversial photo caption went on to allege that placing bets on online sabong is much better than staking voters’ future to presidential frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
According to Barretto, Ang’s business rivals may have been behind the photo.
“Fake news ang ipinapakalat ng mga kalaban sa negosyo ni Ang ang mga naglabasan kamakailan sa social media hinggil sa isang post na may larawan ni Ang,” stressed Barretto regarding the controversial quote card.
Ang is the chairman and founder of Pitmaster Foundation that has been busy in spreading financial assistance and relief goods the past few weeks to typhoon victims in Southern Philippines.
The Foundation’s Executive Director, lawyer Caroline Cruz, said it is highly improbable for a businessman like Ang to get himself involved in dirty politics.
“Alam naman natin na malaki ang mawawala sa isang negosyo o negosyante kapag nakialam ito sa politika o may kakampihan ito,” stated Cruz. “Kapag negosyante ka, dapat kaibigan mo lahat at sumusunod ka sa batas at kalakaran.”
Ang himself had earlier decried the photo, saying an operator of online sabong who is said to be a “gambling lord’ may have been behind the fake news and photo.