Kapamilya actress Bela Padilla has entered a heated online discussion concerning the widespread flooding in the Philippines, directly responding to the comments made by Pangasinan 2nd District Representative Mark Cojuangco.
The Controversial Comments
The exchange began on November 12, 2025, when Congressman Cojuangco reacted to videos showing areas in Cebu affected by Typhoon Tino. He questioned the logic of families building homes in hazardous zones. "Why build houses on a floodplain? That invites disaster," the congressman wrote. He further pointed out that a diversion channel was higher than the homes, stating, "This is the consequence of that choice."
An X user quickly countered, emphasizing that not everyone has the privilege of choice and that people often settle where they can afford to. The user appealed for "compassion and kindness." Cojuangco replied firmly, "No one should. There's always a choice. Engineering and sound reasoning gave way to 'compassion and kindness' years ago. That's why this happened. Suck it up and learn, or repeat it later."
Bela Padilla's Response
It was at this point that actress Bela Padilla joined the conversation, offering a different perspective. "Respectfully, you don't start giving swimming lessons to a drowning man, sir. You save him first," she stated, advocating for immediate aid over criticism. She then shifted the focus to the role of local government units (LGUs), asking, "Why didn't the LGUs stop them from building there in the first place?"
Padilla also highlighted a double standard in public perception by mentioning engineer and influencer Slater Young, who has faced public scrutiny for his own controversial construction project. "Common folk don't know where they can or can't build. I mean — look at Slater Young," she said, suggesting that the poor often lack the resources and information that others take for granted.
Broader Implications
This public debate underscores a critical and ongoing issue in the Philippines: the complex interplay between poverty, urban planning, and disaster resilience. While Cojuangco's argument centers on personal responsibility and long-term engineering solutions, Padilla's rebuttal calls for empathy and questions the effectiveness of government regulation and oversight in preventing such crises.
The discussion continues to resonate online, sparking conversations about social inequality, government accountability, and the appropriate response to natural disasters that frequently affect the archipelago.
