THE executive director of the Pitmaster Foundation, which has provided financial assistance and relief goods to typhoon victims in Mindanao, has come to the defense of the foundation’s chairman, saying he won’t involve himself in dirty politics.
“We all know that a businessman stands to lose a lot if he gets involved in politics. When you are involved in business, you should be friends to everybody,” said Atty. Caroline Cruz, defending Charlie “Atong” Ang, the chair and founder of Pitmaster Foundation, which is also involved in efforts to combat the deadly pandemic.
Actress Gretchen Barretto has also defended Ang, saying he is not in any way involved in politics and is not favoring any candidate.
“He is not involved in politics,” Barreto said.
Cruz and Barreto issued the statements in reaction to a controversial photo being circulated in social media where Ang appears to be promoting online “sabong” (cockfighting). The caption on the photo said that placing bets on online “sabong” is much better than staking voters’ future to presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.
Barretto said Ang’s business rivals could be behind the photo.
“That’s fake news and could be the handiwork of his business rivals,” Barreto said.
Ang himself had earlier decried the photo, saying that an operator of online “sabong” who is said to be a “gambling lord” may have been behind the fake news and photo.
