The Manila Times
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Miguel Zubiri apologized to the familyn of late talk show host Inday Badiday for mentioning her name when he motioned to strike off the record a video presented by fellow Sen. Imee Marcos linking the minority bloc to Charter change (Cha-cha). The senator issued the apology Monday night after Badiday's grandson IC Mendoza called him out for dragging her late grandmother to the issue. The 11-member minority bloc, where Zubiri belonged, denied Marcos' insinuation and stood one by one to support Zubiri's motion. During his manifestation Monday afternoon to strike out the "horrible propaganda video" contained in Marcos' privilege speech, Zubiri said, "Inday Badiday na ba tayo dito sa Senado (Have we become Inday Badiday here at the Senate)?" Badiday used to host a television program which contained a segment on showbiz scandals or rumors, earning her the moniker "queen of intrigues." "[That's] 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," Zubiri wrote on Facebook. He said Mendoza was right that his grandmother should not have been dragged in political matters. "Again, I apologize deeply to the family and I will be more mindful moving forward." "I want to say this from the heart: I respect Inday Badiday, and like many from my generation, I grew up seeing her on TV. She was part of our pop culture and she was loved by so many Filipinos," he said in English and Filipino. Zubiri said Badiday was really lovable "with her own charm, wit and warmth, and I fully recognize her contribution to Philippine television, entertainment journalism and media." "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," he added. Sen. Panfilo Lacson, on X, wrote, "In showbiz, during her prime, Maria Lourdes Jimenez-Carvajal, more popularly known as 'Inday Badiday' was a decent person. She was authentic and truthful, trusted and credible." Without mentioning any name, Lacson said that in the Senate plenary on Monday someone presented a "fake source, fake messenger; and fake back-up."
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