Quezon City, Philippines — Lawyer Jesus Falcis criticized the relief distribution of Senator Bong Go in Quezon City after a viral video showed food packs arranged inside buckets with cartons underneath, allegedly to make them appear full.

 In a Facebook post, Falcis wrote: “???? Breaking News: Mga biktima ng sunog sa NIA Road, Barangay Pinyahan binash ang binigay ni Senator Bong Go na baldeng may food packs dahil akala nila punong puno yung balde yun pala may karton na pampakapal at onti lang pala yung laman! Oh my, budol-budol gang pala. Yan ang number one Senator last year? Akala ko tatay mo karton lang yun pala pati ayuda mo karton. ???? Gapang ang Malas at Sakit!”

The post quickly gained traction online, with netizens debating the quality of the relief goods distributed to fire victims who reportedly lined up for hours to receive assistance. The video circulating on social media showed buckets with cartons placed at the bottom, raising questions about the packaging of the aid.

Barangay Captain Ric Villaflor, however, defended Senator Go, issuing a statement of gratitude for the relief efforts. “Ipinahahayag po ng ating Punong Barangay Ric Villaflor ang lubos na pasasalamat kay Senador Bong Go sa kanyang malasakit at tulong sa mga pamilyang naapektuhan ng sunog. Ang tulong na ito ay nagmula sa personal na kakayanan ni Senador Go, patunay ng kanyang tunay na pagmamahal sa barangay at sa mga mamamayan nito,” Villaflor said.

He further added, “Humihingi po kami ng paumanhin kay Senador Bong Go sa mga hindi makatarungang pagpuna at malisiosong post sa social media na maaaring nakasakit sa kanya. Ang mga ganitong uri ng komento ay hindi sumasalamin sa tunay na diwa ng bayanihan at pagkakaisa na ating pinahahalagahan.”

Villaflor clarified that the relief packs were announced the night before and were scheduled for distribution at 10 a.m., stressing that there was no instruction for residents to line up as early as dawn. He also emphasized that the assistance consisted of grocery packs only, without financial aid.

The barangay chief underscored that Senator Go’s initiative was voluntary and not an obligation, urging constituents to appreciate the help rather than criticize its packaging. “Muli, maraming salamat po kay Senador Bong Go sa kanyang walang-hanggan na suporta at malasakit sa barangay. Ang kanyang halimbawa ay patuloy na magbibigay inspirasyon sa atin upang magtulungan at magmahalan,” Villaflor concluded.

The incident has sparked debate online about transparency and accountability in relief distribution, with critics questioning presentation versus substance, while supporters highlight the importance of gratitude for any assistance provided.