The Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list, which named former senator Leila de Lima as representative, has revealed prominent celebrity Nadine Lustre as its supporter and ambassador.
In a video released Thursday, Feb. 20, Lustre shared her candid thoughts on the state of national governance, declaring her support to the De Lima-led party-list.
The footage was paired with powerful imagery highlighting major controversies, such as the misuse of confidential funds, rising rice prices, illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hubs, the Pharmally scandal, and the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF)-Napoles scam.
“Realtalk. Sawa na ba kayo? Sawa na sa mga abusado sa kapangyarihan? Sa mga nasa pwesto na hindi marunong magpaliwanag kung saan napunta ang pera ng bayan (Are you sick of those who abuse power? Those officials who cannot explain where public funds went)?" the singer-actress asked in the one-minute clip.
“At yung drama, okay lang sa pelikula at sa TV pero 'pag sa gobyerno na, ibang usapan na 'yan. Nakakapagod. Pero, may laban tayo (The drama only suits the movies and television, but not in government. It's tiresome, but we have what it takes)!" Lustre said.
The video then featured de Lima during her acquittal from the cases filed under the Duterte administration.
“Mas handa po ako na ituloy ang laban (I am more than ready to continue the fight,” a vindicated De Lima declared in the clip.
Second and third nominees, Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr. and Erin Tañada, were also shown in the video. Baguilat is a former congressman from Ifugao who has actively supported legislation promoting indigenous rights while Tañada, a former congressman from Quezon Province, is a human rights advocate who also served as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
During the 2022 elections, Lustre stood out as a key celebrity supporter of former vice president Leni Robredo and former senator Kiko Pangilinan, taking the stage for live performances at campaign rallies in Bulacan and Pampanga.
“ML na ako. Tara, ML na din kayo!” Lustre playfully said as the video ends.