“Pinoy Big Celebrity Collab” Kapuso Big Winner Mika Salamanca has apologized for her “questionable choice of friends” amid netizens questioning her ties to political “nepo babies.”
Mika was among the many celebrities and thousands of Filipinos who joined the September 21 rallies in Manila calling out alleged corruption in multi-billion flood-control funds. She also took to social media to denounce graft and show support for the movement.
“wala ninakaw nila”
— GMA Integrated News (@gmanews) September 21, 2025
Kapuso actress and PBB: Celebrity Collab Edition Big Winner Mika Salamanca was among the thousands who joined today’s nationwide protest against government corruption and anomalies in flood control projects, September 21.
Courtesy: Mika Salamanca/Instagram… pic.twitter.com/VsVt0Pk0LZ
galit ako sa corruption wag nyo na dagdagan dahil sa kabobohan nyo.
— Mika Salamanca (@mikslmnc) September 21, 2025
Some netizens, however, called her out for her past connections with influencers tied to political families, including Kitty Duterte whose father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, is currently facing crimes against humanity charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in relation to his administration’s controversial war on drugs.
A photo of Mika partying with Kitty in December last year resurfaced online, though eagle-eyed fans also noticed that she has since unfollowed the young Duterte on Instagram.
Eagle-eyed netizens also noticed that she no longer follows “nepo babies” Gela Alonte, Jammy Cruz, Claudine Co and Cristine Lim, whose families have been linked to allegedly anomalous flood control projects in the country.
Mika later posted an apology on X, saying those associations happened during personal struggles and stressing that she has always been firm in her anti-corruption beliefs.
“I understand where the disappointment and frustration are coming from and I am truly sorry,” she wrote, adding that she has “always made sure to stand [her] ground” despite “questionable choices of friends.”
i understand where the disappointment and frustration are coming from and i am truly sorry. if i can only say one thing about this, i assure you that i stand and will always stand with the people. yes i admit that i had questionable choices of friends when i was at my lowest, but…
— Mika Salamanca (@mikslmnc) September 23, 2025
Her sister also defended her, clarifying that Mika is no longer friends with Kitty, and even shared receipts showing how the former PBB housemate had always stood by her principles even when it meant going against her own family.
As an ate I feel like I need to step in. I just want you all to know na even sa family, vocal yan at nakikipag debate sa principles niya! Mind you, she’s not even friends with Kitty anymore (1/2) pic.twitter.com/8eNpufUcHq
— Samantha Salonga (@SAMPERNANDO) September 23, 2025
Supporters likewise backed Mika, pointing to her consistent advocacy over the years and urging critics to focus their frustration on those actually involved in the anomalies.
Why is all the hate being redirected to her? Last thing I checked, she’s not the one stealing—and more importantly, she never benefited from those stolen taxes. I do see is her constantly helping, donating her hard-earned money to charities, even writing books just to give back. https://t.co/3CJumXQ8eJ
— yuyuyu (@allure_yuyuyu) September 23, 2025
