Former ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’ cast member Rod Navarro Jr. is facing intense backlash online following his viral “hate comments” directed at Coco Martin.
The controversy erupted after Navarro reposted an old interview of Martin with Bianca Gonzalez, where the actor-producer-director spoke about someone he had to stop helping due to their lack of direction in life. Although Martin did not name anyone, Navarro claimed the story referred to him and alleged that he had been mistreated during his time on the show.
Talent manager and host Ogie Diaz publicly addressed Navarro’s claims in a lengthy Facebook post, defending the Kapamilya Primetime King.
“May nag-message pala sa akin. Now ko lang nabasa sa message request dahil na-curious ako rito sa anak ng namayapang si Rod Navarro. Sorry nga pala, di kita agad nareplayan.
“Since binanggit mo ang pangalan ko, Rod Navarro Jr., eh meron lang akong gustong itanong sa yo,” he began.
Diaz questioned Navarro’s allegations of mistreatment.
“Paano kang minura at minaltrato sa set ng ‘Batang Quiapo’ kung nag-message ka sa akin dahil gusto mong magpainterbyu para makapagpasalamat kay Coco sa kabutihan nito sa yo?
“Saka nag-post ka ng 4.20am, di ka pa natutulog o kagigising mo lang o nasa stage ka ng depression?”
Diaz went on to recount how Navarro allegedly approached Martin during a low point in his life.
“Unang-una, hindi ka naman kilala ni Coco nang personal. Lumapit ka nang maayos, binigyan ka ng chance. Lumabas ka sa ‘Batang Quiapo.’”
He added that when Navarro’s role ended—following the death of the character played by Irma Adlawan—Martin still offered him work behind the scenes.
“Na kapag wala kang work di ba eh gusto niya mag-marshall ka sa taping para magmasid-masid ka doon habang wala kang work?”
Beyond that, Diaz revealed that Martin allegedly offered Navarro financial support to start a business.
“Inalok ka pa ni Coco na magnegosyo. Mag-isip kayo ng pamilya mo kung ano ang pwede nyong i-negosyo at bibigyan ka niya ng 100k bilang puhunan basta latagan mo lang siya ng business plan mo, dahil ayaw niyang masayang yung puhunang ibibigay lang niya sa yo.
“Yung pera, nandun lang sa isang staff, pero pitong buwan nang andun yung pera, hindi mo raw kinukuha. So natural, ibabalik na ito kay Coco. Ano iisipin ni Coco? Di ka interesado sa puhunang ibibigay niya sa yo.”
Diaz further reminded Navarro: “Ikaw ang tinutulungan nung tao kahit di ka kaanu-ano. Sana, na-appreciate mo man lang yung gesture nung tao sa yo.”
He also emphasized that Navarro was not treated as a mere extra on the show.
“Binigyan ka ng exposure at hindi naman basta extra lang. Namatay ang character ni Irma Adlawan, natural, mawawala din ang character mo.”
Diaz attached screenshots of Navarro’s previous messages, dated November 20, 2024, where the latter reportedly expressed deep gratitude toward Martin and even sought an interview to publicly thank him.
“At eto na nga, sabi mo sa message mo sa akin, napakabait at napakatiyaga sa yo ni Coco nung Nov. 20, 2024 at gusto mong magpainterbyu dahil sabi mo, gusto mong magpasalamat kay Coco,” Diaz wrote.
He ended with a pointed question: “So saan galing ang hugot ng galit mo kay Coco ngayong 2026?”
Following Navarro’s posts, several personalities publicly defended Martin. Mama Loi Villarama, co-host of Diaz, praised the actor and described the atmosphere on the set of ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’ as positive.
Many netizens also shared their own testimonies about Martin’s generosity, reinforcing his long-standing reputation in the industry.
As of writing, Coco Martin has not released an official statement regarding Navarro’s allegations.
