Actor Boom Labrusca has defended Naga City Mayor and former Vice President Leni Robredo against critics questioning her decision to welcome Israeli Ambassador Dana Kursh during the diplomat’s visit to the city.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, October 8, Labrusca criticized those attacking Robredo over the meeting, arguing that diplomatic engagements should not automatically become grounds for condemnation.

“Alam n’yo kung bakit natalo si Leni? Hindi dahil sa mga DDS! Dahil sa tulad n’yo… bida-bida, self-righteous, ‘ahh basta kami tama blah blah,’” Labrusca wrote.

The actor went further, suggesting that some of Robredo’s own supporters contributed to her defeat in the 2022 presidential election because of what he characterized as self-righteous behavior.

“Diplomacy. Ang tanong d’yan bakit si Leni ang pinupuntahan? Utang na loob hindi ito ang tamang oras kung ano man ang nararamdaman n’yo maghunos-dili kayo,” he added.

His remarks followed online criticism of Robredo after photographs circulated showing her welcoming and accompanying Ambassador Kursh during the latter’s visit to Naga.

The meeting drew objections from some social media users amid continuing international criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and allegations of genocide against Palestinians.

For critics, the controversy centered on whether welcoming an Israeli government representative was appropriate given the ongoing humanitarian and political concerns surrounding the conflict.

Labrusca, however, framed the meeting as an exercise in diplomacy and urged critics to reconsider directing their frustration at Robredo.

His comments reflect a disagreement over how public officials should engage with foreign diplomats representing governments facing international scrutiny.

As of October 8, Robredo had not issued a public statement specifically addressing the online backlash over her meeting with Kursh.

Reports confirm that Kursh met Robredo at Naga City Hall on October 5 as part of a wider Bicol visit involving cultural exchanges and discussions of possible cooperation in agriculture, food security and disaster preparedness. The meeting itself does not establish Robredo’s position on Israel’s military actions in Gaza.