The ongoing commotion at the Senate became so theatrical that it even revived the name of Inday Badiday, one of the biggest figures in Philippine showbiz history.
During a heated Senate exchange, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri referenced the late talk show queen while describing the “circus” atmosphere on the Senate floor, a remark that quickly drew criticism from TV host IC Mendoza.
Mendoza pushed back, reminding the public that his grandmother, born Lourdes Carvajal, was more than “showbiz chika and intrigues.” He said reducing her legacy to political spectacle was both unfair and disrespectful.
Zubiri later issued a public apology, calling the remark a “slip of the tongue” made in the middle of a heated debate. He clarified that his frustration was directed at the Senate proceedings, not at Inday Badiday herself.
“Tama si IC Mendoza, dapat hindi na nadamay ang lola niya sa usaping pulitika,” Zubiri admitted.
Mendoza accepted the apology, but the moment revealed something deeply familiar in Philippine public life: the line between politics and showbiz remains incredibly thin.
