Comedian-host Pokwang came to Vice Ganda’s defense amid backlash over his “jet ski holiday” joke, urging critics—particularly supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte—not to involve Vice’s mother, Rosario, in the controversy.
“Wag naman po tayong ganyan! Kung may na-offend man sa joke ni Vice, e wag naman po idamay ang nanay kasi hindi naman artista o politiko ang kanyang ina,” Pokwang wrote on X.
“Kaming mga artista at politiko ay tanggap namin na na-ba-bash kami kahit minsan masakit, wag naman si nanay Rosario please… maling-mali po. Hindi naman si nanay Rosario nagsulat ng script ni Meme o nag-utos sa kanya na ganon ang i-joke nya!” she added.
The joke, delivered during Vice and Regine Velasquez’s ‘Super Divas’ concert last week, referenced Duterte’s 2016 campaign promise to ride a jet ski to the West Philippine Sea and made a satirical offer of a “free trip to The Hague” for Diehard Duterte Supporters (DDS).
Vice quipped: “Nothing beats a jet ski holiday! Ride now from Manila to the West Philippine Sea by jet ski. Get unlimited water bombing from Chinese vessels and free trip to the Hague by the ICC. Promo applies to DDS only; Pinklawan and BBMs are prohibited. ‘Wag niyo kong subukan, mga put*ngina n’yo!”
The bit drew the ire of Duterte supporters, with some calling for Vice to be declared persona non grata in Davao City and for boycotts of products he endorses.
One netizen reminded Pokwang that Duterte had once greeted Vice on his birthday. She replied: “I’m sure di naman nya nalilimutan yan pero yung idamay natin ang nanay na hindi naman artista or politiko e maling mali po, hindi naman si nanay Rosario nagsulat ng script ni Meme or nag-utos sa kanya na ganon ang i joke niya.”
Pokwang’s post drew mixed reactions online, with some agreeing that Vice’s mother should be left out of the discussion, while others insisted she would inevitably be dragged into the issue.
The controversy also coincided with a sudden drop in Vice’s Facebook followers—from 20 million, which he celebrated on August 7, to 19 million days later.
