MANILA, Philippines — In a lighthearted but pointed moment, Megastar Sharon Cuneta poked fun at President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. regarding his 2022 vice presidential selection during a gala event on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
The remark occurred during “An Evening with the Stars: A Gala Celebrating the Stars Who Continue to Light Our Way,” held at an undisclosed venue in Manila, where the President and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos were the guests of honor.
The “Playful” Remark Before performing a song for the First Couple, Cuneta acknowledged her husband, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, who was her date for the evening.
- “Only One VP”: Cuneta told the audience she “only has one vice president,” referring to Pangilinan, who ran for the position in 2022 under the ticket of former VP Leni Robredo.
- The Tease: Looking toward President Marcos, she added with a laugh: “Mali your choice, no? Sorry, okay, okay, let’s move on.” The comment, delivered with Cuneta’s signature humor, drew significant laughter from the star-studded crowd.
Political Context Cuneta’s joke alludes to the current fractured state of the “UniTeam” alliance. While Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte won the 2022 elections by a landslide, their relationship has publicly deteriorated over the past year.
- Resignation: Duterte resigned from the Marcos Cabinet in June 2025.
- Heated Exchanges: The two leaders and their respective camps have traded allegations regarding drug use and constitutional changes, leading to a complete political split between the Marcos and Duterte factions.
A Celebration of Artistry Despite the political undertones of Cuneta’s joke, the evening remained a celebration of the Philippine entertainment industry. In his speech, President Marcos thanked the artists for their role in defining Filipino identity and projecting local talent onto the world stage.
The event was attended by numerous A-list celebrities and beauty queens, including John Estrada, Ruffa Gutierrez, Dimples Romana, and Christine Reyes, as well as Miss Universe Philippines standouts Ariella Arida and Ahtisa Manalo.
The Megastar’s comment served as a rare moment of candid political levity in a formal setting, reflecting the shifting allegiances and evolving political landscape as the country moves closer to the 2028 election cycle.