Former actor turned influencer marketing professional IC Mendoza responded to Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, who apologized for referencing the late grandmother of the former actor during a Senate session on Monday, May 25.
The senator condemned a video shown by his colleague, Sen. Imee Marcos, which alleged that the Senate minority bloc was attempting to take control of the Upper Chamber’s leadership.
The video also claimed there is an attempt to approve a constitutional assembly and block Vice President Sara Duterte’s possible presidential bid in the 2028 elections. Marcos also claimed there will be a push for “no-el” or no elections in 2028 to prevent the change in government leadership.
Another allegation in the presentation was that former Senate President Tito Sotto III, House Speaker Faustino Dy III, Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez (South Cotabato, Second District) and former Senate Secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza met on April 22 to discuss amending the 1987 Constitution.
The supposed plan was to pursue the amendments through a constitutional assembly, or con-ass.
Zubiri, who recently shifted to the minority bloc and was among those visibly irritated while the video played in the Senate, described the clip as a “horrible propaganda video” and moved to strike Marcos’ presentation from the record.
“Inday Badiday na ba tayo [rito] sa Senado? Kaya nga sinasabi, ‘we’re circus.’ I apologize to those who are watching. They think we’re circus. We are a circus because [of] this type of language that we are pushing in this caucus chamber. It’s unparliamentary,” Zubiri said.
Sotto, who was mentioned in the video, also said he never made suggestions Charter Change to fellow senators, adding that he took “offense” at the presentation.
Meanwhile, IC called out Zubiri for mentioning his late grandmother, Lourdes Carvajal or “Inday Badiday,” who was known as the “Queen of Intrigues” and “Queen of Showbiz Talk Shows.”
“Please do not disrespect the legacy of my late mommy Luds. She was more than showbiz chika and intrigues. She helped shape local pop culture and the entertainment journalism landscape of her time, and her work influenced conversations around media and entertainment for generations,” IC wrote on social media.
“Reducing her name and legacy to describe the ‘circus’ happening in the Senate is offensive. Ang tagal nang patay ng lola ko. Please leave her out of your political commentaries and analogies,” he added.
Zubiri later issued an apology for the family of Inday Badiday, saying the remark was a “slip of the tongue” on his part.
“Sa buong pamilya of the late Inday Badiday, I am sincerely sorry for mentioning her name during my manifestation sa Senado.
Slip of the tongue po iyon in the middle of a heated debate, and I take full responsibility because I should have been more careful with my words,” he said in a statement.
“I want to say this from the heart: I respect Inday Badiday, and like many from my generation, lumaki rin po ako na nakikita siya sa TV, bahagi siya ng pop culture natin and she was loved by so many Filipinos. Lovable talaga siya, with her own charm, wit and warmth, and I fully recognize her contribution to Philippine television, entertainment journalism and media,” Zubiri added.
“My frustration was about the video shown on the Senate floor, and I never meant to disrespect her memory or reduce her legacy to politics. Tama si IC Mendoza, dapat hindi na nadamay ang lola niya sa usaping pulitika. Kaya muli, I apologize deeply to the family and I will be more mindful moving forward,” the senator said.
IC responded by saying that he understood where Zubiri’s “frustration” was coming from.
“And yes, I’m sure you meant no malice by it. Kilala talaga siya for showbiz intrigues, but it just felt off seeing her memory associated with fake news peddlers. Kaya that’s what caught us by surprise. But, all good! Thank you for this, Senator Migz. Appreciate it, keep fighting the good fight,” IC wrote in another post.
IC’s post caught Zubiri’s attention, prompting the senator to apologize once again.
“Sorry ulit, I.C. Mendoza and to the family, thank you for understanding,” the senator replied, adding a folded hands emoji.
IC later acknowledged the exchange, commenting, “Walang problema, Senator Migz Zubiri, completely understand. Hope you’re well.”
Who is Inday Badiday?
Lourdes or “Luds,” better known as Inday Badiday was the mother of columnist Dolly Anne Carvajal and grandmother of IC.
Inday Badiday was described as having revolutionized TV talk shows through programs such as “Eye to Eye” and “See True,” alongside her signature lines like “the original is the best.”
Late showbiz columnist Ricky Lo also recalled that Inday Badiday was known for other lines like, “I’ll be back, promise!” and “Careful, careful!.”
He said she emphasized every gossip and every scoop with the warning “Careful, careful!” which also became her trademark.
Lo added that outside the glare of the television lights, she was a “sentimental person who loves to collect passages from poems, photographs, meaningful phrases or simply memories, especially beautiful memories.”
Inday Badiday passed away in 2003 due to multiple organ failure following two strokes.
