Calling him “Tay”, Jodi Sta. Maria has revealed human rights lawyer Jose Manuel 'Chel' Diokno is one of her senatorial candidates in next month’s polls.
The actress made the revelation as she used a “CHELFan” and held up a flyer of Diokno via Twitter post.
She shared the photo of her with the caption “Hello Tay @cheldiokno! Isa po ako sa mga Chel-dren niyo (I’m one of your Chel-dren)” and the hashtag #21cheldioknosasenado, referring to children and his number on the ballot.
Sta. Maria has added her name to the growing list of the senatorial candidate’s celebrity supporters.
Comedian Marietta Subong, popularly known as “Pokwang”, actress Heart Evangelista, Nikki Valdez, Cherry Pie Picache, and Rivermaya drummer Mark Escueta were among the other local celebrities backing Diokno’s candidacy.
In an Instagram story, Sta. Maria posted a photo of the “CHELFan” and the flyer with the caption “Sasamahan tayong maging liyamado ang mga dehado (He will join us to uplift those at the disadvantage) and hashtag #21cheldioknosasenado.
READ: Heart Evangelista in fangirl mode during meeting with Chel Diokno
Diokno responded: “Thanks for the support, Jodi! Malaki ang maitutulong nito sa hangarin nating magkaroon ng gobyernong tapat, at mapaabot sa bawat Pilipino ang access sa libreng serbisyong legal (This will be a big help in our objective to have an honest government and to give every Filipino access to free legal service)!”
He added “PS. Nagkakagulo mga CHELdren, ang sabi papunta na talaga tayo sa (The CHELdren are thrilled, it’s said we are headed to the) exciting part! Sama ako dyan ha (I will join that)!”
The veteran lawyer was referring to Sta. Maria’s famous dialogue “papunta na nga tayo sa (we are going to the) exciting part!” in the drama series “'The Broken Marriage Vow” where she plays the role of “Doc Jill.”
Veteran actor John Arcilla, known for his acclaimed portrayal of Gen. Antonio Luna in the movie “Heneral Luna”, has also endorsed Diokno’s Senate bid during the Pasay birthday rally of Vice President Leni Robredo.
Diokno shared the photo of that moment on his Facebook page and accompanied it with the caption “maraming salamat sa ating nag-iisang Heneral Luna, @johnarcilla, sa suporta at tiwala sa gobyernong tapat at makatarungan (Many thanks to our one and only General Luna, @johnarcilla, for the support and trust to an honest and just government). Your speech last night was so moving. Maraming maraming salamat sa pagtindig (Thank you very much for standing up)!
Aside from Sta. Maria and Arcilla, actress Nadine Lustre, actors Edu Manzano and Pepe Herrera and singer-composer Johnoy Dayao have also expressed their support for Diokno’s candidacy.
If he wins a Senate seat, Diokno is eyeing to establish access to free legal assistance in every barrio, like the Free Legal Helpdesk that he put up on his Facebook page, to provide ordinary citizens with immediate legal help.