Sen. Cynthia Villar apologizes for offending middle-class workers

Last updated on May 7th, 2021 at 07:09 am

MANILA – Senator Cynthia Villar apologized on Wednesday “humbly” apologized for her remarks and seeming “insensitive” comments against middle-class families.

In a statement, Villar said her comments were not “meant to be an affront to the hardworking middle class of the country.”

“I might have framed my questions and statements in such a manner that made it seem I was insensitive to the plight of the middle income sector. I am NOT. If I have offended anyone with my statements, I humbly apologize,” the senator added.

“I might have framed my questions and statements in such a manner that made it seem I was insensitive to the plight of the middle income sector. I am NOT. If I have offended anyone with my statements, I humbly apologize,” the senator added.

Villar, who is the country’s richest senator, drew flak from netizens after saying the government shouldn’t extend cash assistance to middle-class families affected by the coronavirus lockdown because they were still receiving salaries.

She compared it against the 2015 census of 22 million households in the country and came to the conclusion that 18 million are included in the middle-income families.

“The poor are being deprived, while middle-class families are benefiting from the assistance” she said.

According to data, there are estimated 24.6 million families in 2020 wherein 18 million could be considered as belonging to the “no work, no pay” sector. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has rolled out P5,000 cash aids to workers whose companies either implemented flexible work arrangements or had temporarily closed due to the government’s lockdown to curb the spread of the virus.