Kim Chiu, Vhong Navarro debunk false claims they threw shade on-air at Duterte after ICC arrest
Kim Chiu and Vhong Navarro, who host ABS-CBN's noontime show It's Showtime, debunked false claims that they threw shade at former president Rodrigo Duterte, whom the International Criminal Court arrested on March 11 for alleged crimes against humanity amid his war on drugs.
Chiu and Navarro were accused of alluding to Duterte's arrest through their spiels on the show's March 12 episode.
"Parang may iba sa ngiti 'nyo ngayon," Navarro said. "Parang ngiting may inspirasyon. 'Yung ngiting may dahilan ka para bumangon. Ganyan nga, ganyan nga. Sa kabila ng gulo at ingay, sana mahanap 'nyo ang inyong dahilan ng paghinga, at ang inyong pahinga. I say, 'Dasurv.'"
“Para naman sa mga feeling nila ay hindi pa dumarating ang tamang panahon para sa kanila, ang masasabi namin, 'Dasurv,'" said Chiu. "Wait, di pa ako tapos. 'Dasurv' 'nyong rumesbak sa buhay!"
Chiu was apparently referencing their show's “Tawag ng Tanghalan: All-Star Grand Resbak 2025” segment. The day's hashtag was even set to #ShowtimeDasurvRumesbak.
One social media user, however, assumed that they were talking about Duterte. The online individual specifically targeted Chiu, noting that some of her fans are supporters of the former president.
The post quickly went viral, leading to criticisms, hate comments, and even death threats against Chiu and Navarro.
On X, Chiu said she was just reading her script.
"Hoy! Kaloka kayo," she said. "Kayo talaga! GV GV lang tayo spread kindness and good vibes."
In another tweet, she lamented why she became the subject of criticism amid the national issue.
"Ba't 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," she said.
She also retweeted clips of her and Navarro delivering their spiels.
On Facebook, Chiu also shared a screenshot of the script. She also called out the person who started spreading the false accusation.
"Sir, wag po kayo mandamay sa nanahimik na tao. May God bless you and your family and your peace of mind," she said.
Navarro also shared a screenshot of his part on X.
"Ako po ay nagtatrabaho lang at binasa ko lang ang spiels ko. Wala po akong masamang intensyon. Love and peace!" he said in the caption.
Duterte was arrested on March 11 and was brought to the Villamor Air Base upon arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Hong Kong.
In October 2016, then-ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said they were watching the Philippines closely as killings under the Duterte administration were on the rise just four months since he assumed office.
As stated in the warrant obtained by The Philippine STAR, he was arrested for murder, torture, and rape—which are part of the 15 forms of crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute—in connection with his administration's bloody war on drugs called Oplan Tokhang that saw the execution of thousands of suspected drug peddlers, users, and small-time criminals.
He left the country at 11:03 p.m. of the same day to go to The Hague, where he would be tried by the ICC. He arrived at the Rotterdam Airport on March 12 at 4:56 p.m. CET (11:56 p.m., Philippine time).
