Veteran folk singer Freddie Aguilar, newly appointed commissioner of the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts, has suggested the transfer of two landmarks at the Luneta Park in Manila to solve the issue involving the construction of a 49-story condominium that destroyed the sightline of the Rizal Monument.
“Kung ako lang po ang masusunod, eto lang po ang personal na opinyon ko lang po. Para wala ng gulo, pagpapalitin ko po yung pwesto ng kalabaw at saka ni (Jose) Rizal. Ganun lang po ka simple,” said Aguilar during an interview on “Aksyon Tonite” on TV 5.
“Si Rizal po nakaharap na po sa atin at hindi nakaharap sa malayo at yung kalabaw po nakaharap sa malayo,” Aguilar added.
Aguilar’s simple solution was met with mixed reactions from TV 5 netizens.
“May dahilan kung bakit itinayong nakaharap sa dagat ang bantayog ni Dr. Jose Rizal. Baka nakakalimutan natin na nandiyan ang mga labi ng pambansang bayani at hindi lamang ito isang bantayog. Parang sinasabi rito na galawin ang puntod at ilipat. Kung gawin kaya ito sa ating mga mahal sa buhay na walang pahintulot, matutuwa ba tayo diyan?” a social medial follower commented.
“Ang hirap naman ng gustong ipagawa ni ‘Anak’ sa ating inang bayan. Ang pinaka the BEST na pwedeng gawin dyan ay maglagay nag malaking puno sa bandang likuran ni gat rizal para yun ang makikita sa likuran nya. Meron na po tayong makinarya o truck na pwedeng bumunot ng malalaking puno at ilipat ng pagtataniman nito. Sa hanay ng MMDA sa proyekto nila tayo manghiram ng makinarya nila,” another follower posted.
In June 2015, the Supreme Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order against the construction works for Torre de Manila residential building which was slammed by culture advocates for destroying the view of the Rizal Monument.
Aguilar, 63, was appointed by President Duterte to the government position on July 15. The “Anak” singer is said to be a favorite singer of Duterte.
Moments before Duterte took his oath in Malacañang last June 30, Aguilar performed “Ipaglalaban Ko” with some lyrics changed in praise of the 16th president of the country.