Hosts of It’s Showtime Kim Chiu and Vhong Navarro faced criticisms online after some netizens assumed their remarks on the noontime show’s March 12 episode alluded to the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The controversy erupted after the hosts used the word “deserved” in a segment of It’s Showtime, which some netizens linked to Duterte’s arrest and detention.
The former president was arrested upon his arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay from Hong Kong under an issued warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) executed by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) for alleged crimes against humanity.
He was swiftly transported to The Hague, Netherlands where he will face trial for his administration’s controversial “war on drugs” and arrived at the Hague Penitentiary Institution on Thursday morning (PH time).
The segment in question was part of “Tawag ng Tanghalan: All-Star Grand Resbak 2025”, where Kim read: “Para naman sa mga feeling nila ay hindi pa dumarating ang tamang panahon para sa kanila, ang masasabi namin deserve…”
Before she could continue, the studio audience erupted in cheers. She then clarified: “Wait, ‘di pa ako tapos… deserve niyong rumesbak sa buhay!”
Videos of the opening segment circulated online sparking more criticisms from various platform and prompting Kim to quickly address the issue and defend herself, clarifying that she was simply reading from the show’s script.
“Hoy! Kaloka kayo. Binasa ko lang ‘yung script namin na spiels. Kayo talaga! GV GV lang tayo, spread kindness and good vibes,” she posted on X.
She further expressed her dismay over a netizen’s post misinterpreting her part of the spiel , saying: “Hala, nakakaloka! Bat ako nasali dyan?!!! Like O to the M to the G!!!! Busy ako sa ibang bagay. Diyos ko, wag nyo ako isali sa ganyan, parang awa nyo na. Ang gulo na po ng mundong ibabaw, wag na tayo dumagdag. Diyos ko na lang talaga.”
Chiu also directly addressed one of the individuals spreading false claims about her, writing on Facebook: “Please read the full context before believing the FAKE NEWS being spread here on Facebook, lalo na yang si Mang Wilson Mapa Taganile Jr. Sir, wag po kayo mandamay sa nanahimik na tao. May God bless you and your family and your peace of mind. Magdasal na lang po tayo para sa kapayapaan ng lahat.”
Fellow host Vhong Navarro also explained himself to clear the air, saying he had no malicious intent and was merely following the show’s script.
“Ako po ay nagtatrabaho lang at binasa ko lang ang spiels ko. Wala po akong masamang intensyon. Love and peace!” he wrote, sharing a photo of the script.
