TV host and actor Vhong Navarro has addressed speculations surrounding his recent “It’s Showtime” opening spiel, stressing that his “dasurv” remark was unrelated to the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Navarro’s statement came after his co-host Kim Chiu also denied any political reference in her own opening lines about “deserving to find a break” on the March 12 episode of the noontime show.
What Was Said?
During the broadcast, Navarro’s segment caught netizens’ attention when he said:
“Despite the mess and noise happening around us, I hope you find the reason to rest. And I say, dasurv niyo ‘yun.”
This led some online users to speculate that the remark was a subtle reference to Duterte, who was arrested on March 11 under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for crimes against humanity.
Navarro’s Response
To clear up the misunderstanding, Navarro took to X (formerly Twitter) and posted:
🔹 “I’m just doing my job and reading my spiels. I have no bad intentions. Love and peace.”
He also attached a photo of the scripted lines he read on the show.
Kim Chiu’s Similar Clarification
Kim Chiu also faced similar misinterpretations regarding her “deserving to bounce back” remark, which some believed was directed at Duterte. However, she immediately denied the claim, stating it was merely part of her scripted segment.
Duterte’s Arrest and Public Reactions
The former president’s arrest on March 11 has dominated headlines, with strong reactions from his supporters and critics. Some netizens have been quick to interpret public statements, including those made by celebrities, as indirect commentary on the situation.