Senator Lito Lapid has finally responded to the viral moment involving broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez, who publicly admitted she did not realize he had won a Senate seat.
When asked by reporters about the remark during a recent media event, Lapid replied lightly, saying, “Baka hindi siya nanonood! Joke lang,” before adding that he preferred not to comment further: “Ayaw ko mag-comment.”
But beyond the trending clip, Lapid opened up about a deeper issue—how he feels whenever people mock him or belittle his capabilities as a senator. The action star–turned–lawmaker admitted that the jokes and criticisms often sting.
“Siyempre tao lang ako, minsan nasasaktan din… dahil hindi po ako nakapag-aral, wala naman po akong magagawa kung ganun kantyaw nila sa akin. ’Di ako marunong mag-English, ’di ako marunong magsalita nang marami dahil kulang po ako sa basa,” he told the press.
He added that he has grown used to being underestimated. “Kung kantyawan nila si Lito Lapid ganun-ganun na lang. Kung maliitin si Lito Lapid, ganun-ganun na lang.”
Lapid said he has always been transparent about his humble beginnings and lack of formal education, admitting he never imagined entering politics.
“’Di ko naman po alam na makakarating ako rito. Kahit na barangay captain lang, hindi ako qualified… wala akong karapatang pumasok sa politika dahil kulang ang pinag-aralan ko. Pero wala po akong magawa eh, dinadala ako ng kapalaran dito,” he shared.
Because of the insults he has received over the years, Lapid said he constantly reminds his children—and the youth in general—to prioritize education.
“Kaya sinasabi ko sa mga anak ko, ipaghiganti niyo ako anak. Mag-aral kayo. Ayokong ma-insulto kayo, nararanasan ko ngayon,” he said.
On December 4, during the closing segment of the news program ‘Agenda’, Korina Sanchez reacted in surprise after co-anchor Pinky Webb mentioned Lapid’s statement on the ongoing investigation into anomalous flood control projects.
Pinky said, “Kagulat-gulat din ngayong araw, si Sen. Lito Lapid nagsalita.”
Korina then remarked, “Ay nanalo pala siya? Nanalo? Ah… kasama pala si Sen. Lito… congrats, Sen. Lito, hindi ko napapansin, sa totoo lang,” which surprised her co-hosts.
Williard Cheng attempted to lighten the moment, saying Lapid rarely speaks publicly, “kaya pag nagsalita siya, balita talaga.”
The anchors eventually addressed Lapid directly on-air: “Hello Sen. Lito, ngayon lang daw po nalaman ni Korina na senador po kayo,” Pinky quipped, to which Korina added with a laugh, “Ngayon alam ko na.”
Lapid ranked 11th among 12 winning senators in the most recent national elections.
