Pokwang: “…Mom Rosario didn’t write meme’s script.”

Pokwang (left) appeals to critics of Vice Ganda (in green) not to drag his mother, Rosario Viceral (in white), into the controversy over his “jetski holiday” joke, which appears to poke fun at former President Rodrigo Duterte’s past issue.
PHOTO/S: Pokwang on Facebook/Screengrab Vice Ganda on YouTube

Kapuso comedienne-TV host Pokwang called on those criticizing Vice Ganda not to include the mother of  It’s Showtime  host Rosario Viceral.

Vice is now facing criticism from ardent supporters of  former President Rodrigo Duterte over the comedian’s “jet ski holiday” joke during his  Superdivas  concert with Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez at the Araneta Coliseum on August 8, 2025.

During the concert, there was a segment where Vice made a joke about Duterte’s controversial jet-ski promise regarding the West Philippine Sea.

Even Duterte is currently imprisoned in the detention facility of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, due to a crimes against humanity case, stemming from his bloody campaign against drugs.

Vice made this a joke using the viral Jet2holiday meme.

Pokwang appeals to the public to spare Vice Ganda’s mom from bashing

Aside from Vice, his mother has also been implicated in the mockery, disdain, and ridicule of some DDS or diehard Duterte supporters.

Something that Pokwang, who is known to be a close friend of Vice, did not miss.

On X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, August 11, Pokwang pleaded with Duterte’s supporters not to involve the  It’s Showtime  host’s mother in the controversy.

Pokwang insisted that she understands if some people were offended by Vice’s insult to Duterte.

What is not right is to include his naive mother, who is known by many as a simple citizen and not an artist.

Pokwang said (published as is): “Let’s not be like that! If anyone is offended by Vice’s joke, don’t blame the mother because her mother is not an artist or politician.

“We, artists and politicians, accept that we are sometimes bashed, even if it hurts, but please don’t bash me, mother Rosario.”

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AZ Martinez and Ralph de Leon at GMA Gala 2025

A Duterte supporter responded to Pokwang’s post.

It said (published as is): “ Never Forget that he is full of love. PRRD greeted him on his birthday and all he heard were beautiful words from the 80-year-old President!!! and  the Song Bird is at an international level. It has reached the level of being a chaka by Vice Chaka!!!”

Pokwang answered this quickly.

He explained that he is sure that Vice’s mother had nothing to do with writing the skit, so she should not be involved in her son’s issue.

Pokwang said (published as is): “I’m sure she hasn’t forgotten that, but if we include her mother, who is not an artist or politician, that’s wrong, Rosario’s mother didn’t write the script for the meme or order her to joke like that!”

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Meanwhile, aside from Pokwang, several netizens and lawmakers also defended Vice against the criticisms that he is currently receiving from both sides.

Their narrative was the same—they understood the  It’s Showtime  host and his insistence on the concert was just part of the show, so it wasn’t right for Duterte’s ardent supporters to make a big deal out of it.

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This happened after a fake resolution went viral on social media claiming that Vice had been declared persona non grata in Davao City for insulting the former President.

Photo/s: Screengrab on Facebook

On Tuesday, August 12, Davao City acting Vice-Mayor Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II strongly denied that they issued a resolution.

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Rigo is the youngest son of Davao City First District Representative Paolo Duterte.

Rigo Duterte II stated that his city has more important things to focus on than making a resolution regarding Vice’s actions.

Pahayag niya: “The members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod ng Davao have far more important matters to attend to than entertaining baseless, attention-seeking antics from performers desperate for relevance.

“Contrary to what this viral document suggests, the Council’s time and energy are devoted to crafting policies and programs that improve the lives of Dabawenyos—enhancing infrastructure, ensuring public safety, creating livelihood opportunities, and strengthening social services.”

Rigo also called Vice’s insults about his grandfather “cheap insults and distasteful jokes made for clout.”

Pahayag niya: “Davao City will not be distracted by cheap insults and distasteful jokes made for clout. Public figures like Vice Ganda who use their platform to mock rather thar uplift, reveal more about their character.

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“Public figures like Vice Ganda, who use their platform to mock rather than uplift, reveal more about their own character than about the people they ridicule.

“If Vice Ganda wishes to be remembered for more than empty laughs and headline-grabbing jabs, perhaps it’s time to show the same hard work, discipline, and respect that Davao’s leaders and citizens demonstrate daily.”

“Until then, Davao City will continue moving forward — with or without the approval of those who mistake insult for entertainment.”

Rigo is currently the acting vice-mayor of Davao City because his uncle, Baste Duterte, who won vice-mayor in the 2025 elections, is the acting mayor of their city.

Baste temporarily succeeded his father Rodrigo Duterte as mayor of Davao City.