The Philippine Online Chronicles

Former dean of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law Marvic Leonen has spoken up in defense of law student Christopher Lao, who became an internet sensation after GMA News showed a video of him attempting to drive his car across a deeply-flooded street in Quezon City.

The vehicle ended up floating in the water and had to be pushed across to the other side of the street. A flustered Lao complained to an interviewer that he “had not been informed” that the water would be that deep.

The video hit social networking sites yesterday, raising a storm of criticism and other comments over Facebook, Twitter and blogs.

“People are reacting negatively because of his reaction, not his action,” Joan Mari Pavia posted in a Facebook page made for Lao. “He blamed everyone, the government, the people in the area (who actually helped him get out from the water!) rather than just admitting that he did not know how deep the flood water was, and that he made an ARROGANT mistake. Neither did he even think of thanking those guys who helped him.”

“QUOTE OF THE WEEK: 'I should have been informed.' LESSON OF THE WEEK: Use your common sense. VICTIM OF THE WEEK: Christopher Lao (trending!),” @harold_geronimo tweeted.

A fan page has also been put up for Lao on Facebook, which has accumulating more than 37,000 likes as of posting.

On Facebook, former dean Leonen posted, “You may be amused by the mistakes or misfortunes of others. But this does not entitle you to degrade their entire character or make conclusions about their whole person."

Leonen said that Lao “does not deserve the treatment he is getting from others on Facebook and Twitter,” adding that they at UP Law “are still proud of him” as a student.

GMA News Online editor-in-chief Howie Severino said, "Mr. Lao was already victimized by the flood and a lack of warnings. He shouldn't be victimized again. Many of us could have been in his situation. We are urging the public to stop the insults. We regret that our video, which was meant to provide a lesson for all motorists, was used in any way to make fun of another person."