After being in hot water over their ostensible support for the Duterte family, Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) stars Mika Salamanca and Shuvee Etrata have voiced their apologies for disappointed fans on Tuesday, September 23.
“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,” PBB: Celebrity Collab Edition big winner Salamanca wrote in a post on X.
Her statement comes in response to criticism over her past friendship with Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, former President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter.
“Yes I admit that I had questionable choices of friends when I was at my lowest, but one thing has always been clear to me, I've always made sure to stand my ground even during those times. I spoke about what I believed in no matter who I was around,” Salamanca assured.
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
Meanwhile, videos of Etrata expressing her support for the former President have resurfaced online. In one spliced video making rounds on X, she shared her frustrations following Duterte’s arrest and surrender to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands.
Moreover, she admitted to crying over Duterte’s capture, saying he had done much for her community.
“Naiyak talaga ako kagabi, empath kasi ako. Kasi sa lugar namin, ang laki ng naitulong ni PRRD,” she said.
In another video, it was implied that Etrata had voted for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during the 2022 elections.
“Para sa akin talaga guys, na-ano kasi ako ni (President) Bongbong, nabudol,” she confided.
In an Instagram story, Etrata said she understood why people would be hurt by her statements and owned up to it.
“Pasensya na po sa lahat ng na-disappoint at nasaktan ko. I understand that what I said in the past caused hurt to some and I take responsibility for it,” she wrote in an Instagram story.
“Ang mas mahalaga sa akin ngayon ay ang mahalin ang bayan at manindigan laban sa sumisira nito tulad ng korapsyon. LALO NA PO NGAYON. Huwag po kayo mag alala, natuto na po ako. Lalawakan ko pa po ang pag-iisip ko para sa ating lahat… I stand for and with the Filipino people—always,” she concluded.
Duterte has been charged by ICC prosecutors with three counts of murder, in connection with crimes against humanity allegedly committed while he was mayor of Davao City and later, as President.
