Toni Gonzaga trended on Twitter after announcing support for politicians
Toni Gonzaga trended on Twitter, with the majority of tweets castigating her, notably when she announced Rep. Rodante Marcoleta as part of the Senate list of candidates during the proclamation rally of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte at the Philippine Arena. Marcoleta is among the 70 members of the Congress who voted to reject the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN. Marcoleta was one of 70 Congress members to vote against ABS-CBN's franchise renewal.
“Representante ng Sagip Party List. May laban tayo sa kanya. Number 43 sa balota. Congressman but soon to be Senator Rodante Marcoleta,” Toni said.
Gonzaga is recalled to have chastised those who opposed the franchise in an Instagram post in July 2020.
She wrote, "Everyday ang sakit magbukas ng Viber dahil nagpapaalam na lahat ng mga katrabaho namin samin. You may have the power now but it will not be forever. Sa lahat ng nasa posisyon ngayon, hindi namin makakalimutan ang ginawa niyo sa mga trabahador ng ABS-CBN."
Amongst the other ABS-CBN staff who have stated their displeasure with Gonzaga is Palanca awardee for poetry Jerry Gracio – a former network scriptwriter and first nominee for the Kapamilya ng Manggagawang Pilipino Party List – who said on Tuesday night that the actress-host should "resign out of delicadeza."
"TV Patrol" reporter Kevin Manalo also wrote on Twitter, "How dare they. This is hurtful and still unbelievable. I know I'm not the only media worker who feels this. Anong sabi ni ELJ (What did ELJ say)? In service of the Filipinos. Paano mo iaalign ang unity kung sinusuportahan mo quite vocally yung nagpasara sa network mo?"
This is not the first time Gonzaga received criticisms online because of politics. This isn't the only time Gonzaga has been lambasted on social media for its political stance. On her YouTube show "Toni Talks" in September 2021, she interviewed Marcos Jr.
In the video, titled "The Greatest Lesson Bongbong Marcos Learned From His Father," some viewers claimed that the celebrity personality did not utilize her platform wisely and were recalled that Marcos Jr.'s father also shut down ABS-CBN in 1972.
Gonzaga stated in one of her "Toni Talks" episodes that she does not give attention to haters because she has been "canceled" numerous times during her 20-year career in show business.
Through an Instagram post on Wednesday, the 38-year-old said it had been her greatest honor to host the reality TV competition for 16 years, as she declared her departure from ABS-CBN's "Pinoy Big Brother" (PBB).
She as well stated that she is endorsing her friend Bianca Gonzalez as the show's main host.
“Today, I'm stepping down as your main host. I know Bianca and the rest of the hosts will continue the PBB legacy,” she said.
“It has been my privilege to greet you all with 'Hello Philippines and 'Hello World' for the last 16 years. I will forever cherish the memories, big nights, and moments in my heart. Thank you Kuya for everything,” she added.
"We respect Toni Gonzaga-Soriano's decision to step down as main host of 'Pinoy Big Brother,'" the series' producers said in a statement.
“Toni has been part of our reality show for 16 years and we thank her for helping bring the stories of our housemates to our viewers.”
Gonzaga's exit from "PBB" coincides with the conflict over her evident endorsement for the lawmaker, Rodante Marcoleta.
But neither Gonzaga nor "PBB" alluded to any political issues in their corresponding statements.
