Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri on Monday apologized to the family of late television host and journalist Lourdes Carvajal, popularly known as "Inday Badiday," after mentioning her name during a heated Senate debate on Charter change allegations raised by Senator Imee Marcos.
In a social media post, Zubiri said he was sorry for bringing up the veteran talk show host’s name during his manifestation at the Senate session on May 25.
“Sa buong pamilya of the late Inday Badiday, I am sincerely sorry for mentioning her name during my manifestation sa Senado,” Zubiri said.
He explained that the remark was a “slip of the tongue” made in the middle of an intense discussion and admitted that he should have been more careful with his words.
“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 added.
“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,” he said.
The apology came after television personality IC Mendoza, the late host’s grandson, called out the senator for “reducing her grandmother’s name and legacy to describe the “circus” happening in the Senate.“
“Tama si I.C. 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,” Zubiri said.
Zubiri later clarified that his frustration was directed at the video presentation shown on the Senate floor and not at the late television icon.
“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 said.
On Tuesday, May 28, Mendoza acknowledged Zubiri’s apology, saying, ‘I also get where you’re coming from and your frustration. 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,” Mendoza said in a social media post.
During the Senate session, Zubiri moved to strike from the record the privilege speech delivered by Marcos, calling it “propaganda” and “unparliamentary.”
At the height of the debate, Zubiri remarked, “Inday Badiday na ba tayo dito sa Senado?”
Sen. Marcos presented a video alleging that members of the new minority bloc were plotting to block Vice President Sara Duterte’s possible presidential bid through Charter change and the extension of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term.
