Veteran actor Gardo Versoza is the latest celebrity to speak up on the country’s socio-political issues, drawing attention online after posting a shirt with a strong message against the government.
On Monday, September 15, Gardo shared a photo of himself on Instagram wearing a black T-shirt with the words:
“PROUD TO BE FILIPINO
ASHAMED OF MY GOVERNMENT”
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The actor wore a serious expression in the post, which quickly gained over 8,000 likes and hundreds of comments.
Many netizens asked him where to buy the shirt, with others commending the bold statement.
“BOLD statement,” one commenter said. “Nakakahiya tuloy if nagta-trabaho ka sa gobyerno,” another added. “How to order the same shirt please?” wrote a netizen.
In a follow-up post, Gardo shared an image of Lady Justice blindfolded, with the caption “GISING PILIPINAS.”
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Filipinos also used the comments section to air frustrations about corruption. One user wrote, “Ang yaman pala ng Pilipinas pero naghihirap ang bansa dahil nasa bulsa ng government official ang taxes ng mga Pilipino.”
Apart from Gardo, other celebrities who have recently voiced out their sentiments on corruption and governance include Edu Manzano, Nadine Lustre, Pokwang, Bianca Gonzalez, Carla Abellana, and Anne Curtis.
The wave of celebrity reactions follows growing public outrage over alleged anomalies in multibillion-peso flood control projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself highlighted in his fourth State of the Nation Address.
Gardo, meanwhile, previously shared his admiration for Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, praising the young leader’s humility and service-driven governance, in contrast to what he described as the failures of older politicians.
