The late broadcaster’s grandson, IC Mendoza, said the family accepted the senator’s apology but objected to seeing her name invoked in a political exchange
MANILA — Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri has apologized to the family of the late television host and entertainment journalist Lourdes “Inday Badiday” Carvajal after mentioning her name during a tense Senate exchange over a video presented by Sen. Imee Marcos.
The remark came during the Senate’s May 25 session, when Marcos showed a video that claimed some senators were linked to discussions on constitutional amendments through a constituent assembly, commonly referred to as “con-ass.” The video claimed that former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III met with House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy to discuss Charter change. It also suggested possible moves to extend President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term and raise the minimum age requirement for presidential candidates to 50, a change that would affect Vice President Sara Duterte’s possible 2028 presidential bid.
Sotto denied involvement in any Charter change effort. Several senators also objected to the video’s inclusion in the Senate proceedings, questioning its basis and propriety.
Zubiri, who objected to the presentation, described the video as opinionated, unparliamentary and improper for the chamber. He moved to strike the video from the Senate record while allowing Marcos’ privilege speech to remain. Marcos later withdrew the video after Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano asked her to do so.
During the exchange, Zubiri roughly asked in Filipino whether the Senate had become “Inday Badiday,” invoking the late broadcaster whose name has long been associated with showbiz talk and intrigue.
The remark drew a public response from Badiday’s grandson, actor and host IC Mendoza, who said his grandmother’s name should not be used as a political punchline. Mendoza said Badiday’s legacy should not be reduced to gossip or casually tied to political accusations.
Badiday, also known to viewers as “Ate Luds,” was one of Philippine television’s most recognizable entertainment journalists. She hosted the GMA talk show “Eye to Eye” from 1988 to 1996, a program associated with celebrity interviews, public confessions and showbiz talk. She died in 2003.
Zubiri later apologized directly to Badiday’s family, saying the remark was a “slip of the tongue” made during a heated debate. He said he took responsibility for not being more careful with his words and did not intend to disrespect Badiday’s memory or diminish her contributions to Philippine media.
Mendoza accepted the apology, saying he understood Zubiri’s frustration and believed the senator meant no malice. Still, he said it was unsettling for the family to see Badiday’s memory associated with what he described as “fake news peddlers.”
Badiday’s name occupies a distinct place in Philippine entertainment culture. Before the internet-era term “Marites” became shorthand for gossip, Badiday belonged to an earlier broadcast age, when entertainment talk shows helped shape public conversation around celebrities, television, film and private lives made public.
The apology appeared to ease the public exchange between Zubiri and Badiday’s family.
