Kapuso star Shuvee Etrata has deactivated her X (formerly Twitter) account after facing intense criticism over resurfaced videos expressing sympathy for former President Rodrigo Duterte.
As of September 28, searches for her profile @EtrataShuvee display the message: “This account doesn’t exist.” However, Etrata remains active on Instagram, where she posted on September 27 with the caption: “Padayon lang ta” (“Keep going”).
The ‘It’s Showtime’ host and former ‘Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition’ housemate became the target of online backlash when netizens revisited her March TikTok live, where she grew emotional over Duterte’s arrest by the International Criminal Court. Critics accused her of defending the former president’s bloody drug war, while others called her remarks insensitive.
In response, Etrata issued an apology, saying she had learned her lesson and preferred to avoid discussing politics because it was “too divisive.”
“Huwag po kayong mag-alala, natuto na po ako. Lalawakan ko pa po ang pag-iisip ko para sa ating lahat. I will continue to learn and grow,” she said in a statement last week.
The controversy intensified when an old vlog clip of Etrata’s ‘Totropahin o Jojowain’ challenge resurfaced, where she dismissed Vice Ganda with an “ewww.” The timing fueled speculation among netizens after Vice delivered a pointed remark on ‘It’s Showtime’ about people who pretend to admire him but bash him online.
Meanwhile, GMA Network Senior Vice President Annette Gozon-Valdes has publicly defended the young actress, stressing that Etrata is not a “diehard” supporter of any politician. “We know where your heart is Shuvee Etrata. We are here for you 110%,” Gozon-Valdes wrote in support.
Despite some efforts, netizens remain divided. While some commended Etrata for stepping back from the “toxic” environment of X, others criticized her for what they see as shallow attempts to manage her image through carefully timed relief efforts and network support.
Etrata continues to appear on GMA Network’s morning program ‘Unang Hirit’ and as a semi-regular host on ‘It’s Showtime’.
