Fans of actress Judy Ann Santos are up in arms after presidential candidate Sen. Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal denounced the “use of actors” in campaigns as an “insult to Filipino intelligence.”

Santos was Madrigal’s chosen celebrity endorser in the 2004 senatorial elections. Both appeared together in posters and TV ads.

Many believe that Santos’ endorsement of Madrigal was what primarily boosted the latter’s popularity and eventually helped her win that senatorial race with considerable margin over her political rivals.

“How dare she?” asked one fan.

“What an ingrate!” cried another.

“I’m sure wala na siguro kasing gusto mag-endorse sa kanya kaya niya sinabi ‘yan—how sad,” wrote another.

"I-boykot si Jamby!" hollered another.

Madrigal made her statement at the "Inquirer First Edition: Presidential Debates," organized by the Philippine Daily Inquirer and co-sponsored by Globe Telecom and the UP College of Mass Communication.

A total of 27 questions were posed for each candidate separated into 3 categories: 1) Law and governance, 2) Social Services, and 3) Economics and Business.

The ball started rolling when Madrigal was asked the question: “Political ads nowadays seem to cater to the lowest common denominator in society. From catchphrases to jingles, they seem to contain mainly rhetoric but no real substance. Do you think this type of campaigning, including political endorsements from movie celebrities, contribute to the dumbing down of the Filipino voter?”

The sole female presidential candidate responded with a resounding, “I agree—completely."

“The use of actors—[one] you had to pay P30 million to endorse you—is an insult to the Filipino intelligence,” she declared.

Reminded how she herself used actors—Santos specifically—to further her political ambitions, Madrigal was remorseful.

“I have seen the folly of my ways… I will not repeat it because I do not believe you (must) repeat a mistake. But I also don’t believe you should perpetuate lies that are perpetuated by a big budget.”

Upon filing her certificate of candidacy last year, Madrigal said she would run as an independent candidate as she is not a traditional presidential aspirant but “a candidate of the people."

Madrigal further stated that she would not be relying on any celebrity support.

“I won’t even use jingles,” said Madrigal. “My ads are simply going to reflect my political platform and my principles.”

During the same gathering, Madrigal—who some students jokingly say is running on the platform of ‘death to Villar’—earned applause even as she continued with her verbal tirade against her staunch political enemy, Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar.

Madrigal had filed an ethics complaint against Villar over the C-5 road controversy, an issue that had since sharply divided the Senate.

“[He] would really be a big disaster for the country,” she said. “He thinks he can buy everything, including Malacañang.”

Madrigal claims she personally has nothing against the billionaire senator, but that she is only doing what she is doing for the sake of the Filipino people.

“I don't know [Villar] well enough in the intimate side of his personality,” Madrigal said. “However, what I am against is the alleged crimes I perceive him to have committed.”