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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Melai Cantiveros to senators: 'Ibalik ninyo ang dignidad sa Senado'

Melai Cantiveros to senators: 'Ibalik ninyo ang dignidad sa Senado'

Published Jun 5, 2026 05:53 pm

Though known for making people laugh, Melai Cantiveros turned serious when asked about the ongoing impasse in the Senate, expressing disappointment over the political drama that continues to grip the country.

Speaking at the launch of the fifth season of her hit Bisaya podcast "Kuan On One," Melai admitted she is among the many Filipinos saddened by recent developments in government.

Asked who she would most like to interview in the Senate if given the chance, Melai immediately named Sen. Migz Zubiri.

"Kasi wala namang ibang Bisaya doon," she said matter-of-factly.

But beyond the lighthearted answer, Melai revealed she has a serious question she would like to ask lawmakers:

"Anong gagawin natin para magkaisa tayo?"

She then lamented what she sees as growing divisions among Filipinos.

"Kasi sobrang talaga tayong nakakahiya. Bakit? Yung mga ibang bansa may mga war, war sa bansa na ganito, war sa bansa na ganyan pero sila magkakampi. Tayo? Wala na ba tayong ibang kalaban? Tayo na ang naglalaban sa isa't isa?"

Melai stressed that voters should be more discerning when choosing leaders.

"Kaya ang Pinoy talaga dapat maging wais tayo. Tayo naman ang bumuboto so dapat iboto natin yung mga kandidatong bibigyan tayo ng hiya. Sila, hindi ko alam kung may mga hiya pa sila."

Seemingly aware she had just delivered a strong statement, Melai stood by her right to speak up.

"Ako hindi ako pwedeng hindi magsalita kasi nagbabayad ako ng tax."

She then made a direct appeal to senators amid the ongoing standoff.

"Ibalik ninyo ang dignidad sa Senado. Maawa kayo sa amin."

The candid remarks are exactly the kind of unfiltered conversations that have helped make "Kuan On One" a hit among viewers in the Philippines and abroad.

Now on its fifth season, the podcast continues to attract both Bisaya and non-Bisaya audiences through Melai's relatable humor, easygoing interview style, and genuine conversations with guests.

Melai also revealed some of the first guests set to appear this season, including actress and celebrity mom Ellen Adarna, entrepreneur and fellow "Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up" housemate Paul Jake Castillo, and singer Mark Bautista.

"Kuan On One" Season 5 premieres June 9, with new episodes streaming every Tuesday at 8 AM on the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel and iWant.

Related Tags

Melai Cantiveros Melai Cantiveros Senate remarks Melai Cantiveros Senate impasse Migz Zubiri Sen. Migz Zubiri Melai Cantiveros Kuan On One Kuan On One Season 5 Kuan On One podcast ABS-CBN Entertainment iWant Ellen Adarna Paul Jake Castillo Mark Bautista
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