Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando declared MetroNews Bulacan journalist Orlan Mauricio persona non grata over a social media post that mocked the province’s festival and local officials over flood control projects.“Malisyosong tinawag ni Mauricio ang Singkaban Festival bilang Sikwatan Festival. Ang prestihiyosong Dangal ng Lipi Awards bilang Hangal ng Lip Awards… ako po ay nasaktan sapagkat ang lalawigan ng Bulacan ay hindi dapat mabastos,” said Fernando on Monday during a special session tackling the resolution.The post, uploaded by MetroNews Bulacan, alleged that Fernando and 1st District Rep. Danny Domingo were preoccupied with ceremonial events instead of resolving flooding woes.“Habang hinahanap ng sambayanan kung sino kumulimbat at saan inanod ang bilyon-bilyon pondo para sa flood control projects para sa Lalawigan, nandito lang pala at abala sa ribbon-cuttings ang Gobernador at Bulacan-1st District Cong. Danny A. Domingo,” the post read.It added, “Habang lahat ng taong-binabaha sa Calumpit, Hagonoy at Malolos ay nakasubaybay sa Senate hearing, yun dapat nagpapaliwanag sa mga Bulakenyo kung bakit sila nagdurusa sa baha dulot ng katiwalian ay abalang abala sa pagdiriwang ng Sikwatan Festival.”Fernandez said they will also file a cyberlibel complaint against the journalist and made an open call to Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) to revoke his accreditation for gravely insulting Bulacan’s culture and identity.“Di po kasi kami makapapayag na lapastanganin ang kultura ng ating lalawigan… ang aming festival, ‘yun po ay sagrado. Taon taon ay sinasagawa ng provincial government para kilalanin at syempre ipakita sa mga henerasyon ngayon at sa darating pang henerasyon na sana ay ipagpatuloy nila ito pong celebration,” said Fernando.When asked if he would withdraw the persona non grata declaration should the journalist apologize, Fernando replied: “The damage has been done. Kung hihingi siya ng sorry dapat hindi lang sa akin kundi sa lahat ng Bulaceños.”In an interview, Mauricio said he stands by his statements and condemned the declaration.“I definitely condemn this ill-advised action. This is a very weird and laughable action of the Sanggunian,” Mauricio said.“Eh taga rito ako, pe-persona ng grata mo ako… paano mo ako ipe-persona ng grata sa lugar na birthright na… isang parte ito ng orchestrated effort ni Governor Fernando para patahimikin ako,” he added.Mauricio also lambasted Bulacan officials for wasting time and resources in silencing dissent.“Imbes na pinapatulan nila yung isang hampaslupa at kawawang journalist na nage-expose ng lahat ng nakawan dito sa probinsya ng Bulacan, bakit hindi niyo ituon yung effort niyo, yung lahat ng resources ng probinsya… para imbestigahan yung mga nanlimas ng pera ng bayan,” he said.In February 2025, Mauricio filed a graft and corruption complaint before the Ombudsman against Fernando for allegedly pushing an ordinance that hiked property taxes in 20 municipalities.As of press time, the complaint is still awaiting resolution.

Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando has declared MetroNews Bulacan journalist Orlan Mauricio persona non grata over a social media post that mocked the province’s festival and local officials over flood control projects.

Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando has declared MetroNews Bulacan journalist Orlan Mauricio persona non grata over a social media post that mocked the province’s festival and local officials over flood control projects.

Journalist declared 'persona non grata' in Bulacan over post on flood control mess

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Journalist declared 'persona non grata' in Bulacan over post on flood control mess

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 16, 2025 12:38 AM PHT

Read More:

Bulacan

flood control

persona non grata

festival

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