Presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos on Thursday thanked actress and vlogger Toni Gonzaga for hosting his campaign kick-off, for which she received flak online.
"Taos pusong pasasalamat kay Toni Gonzaga-Soriano sa pagiging host ng Uniteam Proclamation Rally," the only son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. posted on Facebook.
Gonzaga replied in a repost of Marcos' greeting: "You're welcome my President @bongbongmarcos"
Marcos Jr. also said of Gonzaga, his wedding godchild: "Isang makasaysayang gabi na hindi namin malilimutan ni Mayor Inday Sara kapiling ang aming mga tagasuporta, pamilya, kaibigan at mga nanindigan para sa ating samahan ng pagkakaisa - gaya mo Toni."
The actress has drawn criticism from Marcos' critics ever since she interviewed him on her vlog last year. She trended on Twitter after it was revealed that she would host the Marcos rally and after she introduced Sagip paty-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, who pushed to deny ABS-CBN a new franchise.
It was at ABS-CBN where Gonzaga's career took off. On Wednesday, she quit as host of Pinoy Big Brother, a plum assignment that she held for 16 years.
Some netizens defended Gonzaga, saying that she has the right to choose whom to support in the presidential race. The hashtag #UnbotheredQueenToniG also trended on Twitter on Wednesday calling out those who were cancelling the actress.
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