Senator issues public apology to Inday Badiday’s family after I.C. Mendoza calls out controversial comment during heated debate.
Sen. Migz Zubiri has publicly apologized to the family of late entertainment icon Inday Badiday after actor and TV personality I.C. Mendoza criticized the senator for invoking her name during a heated Senate debate.
The controversy began after Zubiri remarked, “Inday Badiday na ba tayo dito sa Senado?” while questioning a video presentation shown by Sen. Imee Marcos during plenary discussions on charter change.
Mendoza, the grandson of the late television host and journalist, responded through Facebook, calling the remark offensive and urging the senator not to reduce his grandmother’s legacy to political commentary.
“Please do not disrespect the legacy of my late mommy Luds,” Mendoza wrote. “She was more than showbiz chika and intrigues.”
Following the backlash, Zubiri released a formal statement apologizing to the family.
“Sa buong pamilya of the late Inday Badiday, I am sincerely sorry for mentioning her name during my manifestation sa Senado,” the senator said.
He described the remark as a “slip of the tongue” made “in the middle of a heated debate,” adding that he “should have been more careful” with his words.
Zubiri also emphasized his respect for the late TV icon, saying he grew up watching her on television.
“Bahagi siya ng pop culture natin and she was loved by so many Filipinos,” he said. “I fully recognize her contribution to Philippine television, entertainment journalism and media.”
The senator clarified that his frustration was directed at the video presentation shown on the Senate floor and not at Badiday herself.
“I never meant to disrespect her memory or reduce her legacy to politics,” he added.
Zubiri likewise acknowledged Mendoza’s point, stating: “Tama si I.C., dapat hindi na nadamay ang lola niya sa usaping pulitika.”
Inday Badiday, whose real name was Lourdes Vega Jimenez-Carvajal, was widely regarded as the “Queen of Showbiz Talk Shows” and “Queen of Intrigues.” Through programs such as See-True and Eye to Eye, she helped pioneer entertainment journalism on Philippine television and became one of the most recognizable media personalities of her generation.
The controversy began after Zubiri remarked, ‘Inday Badiday na ba tayo dito sa Senado?’ while questioning a video presentation shown by Sen. Imee Marcos during plenary discussions on charter change.
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