MANILA — Television host Bianca Gonzalez-Intal defended her advocacy for good governance after facing criticism online accusing her of being “performative” and “selective” in speaking about political issues.

In a report, it said that on Monday, Gonzalez posted on X about Filipinos’ desire for better living conditions, stressing that taxes should translate into effective public services.

“Ano bang kailangang mangyari para matupad ‘yun, para magkaroon ng sistema’t liderato na tunay na para sa tao?” she wrote.

The post came on the same day the Senate underwent a surprise leadership change after Alan Peter Cayetano was chosen to replace Vicente Sotto III.

Among those who voted for Cayetano was Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who made his first appearance in the Senate in six months while allegedly evading authorities from the National Bureau of Investigation.

While many users agreed with Gonzalez’s sentiments, others criticized her online, with some calling her “performative” and “complicit” because of her friendship with fellow former Pinoy Big Brother hosts Toni Gonzaga and Mariel Rodriguez.

Gonzaga is known as a supporter of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., while Rodriguez is married to Sen. Robin Padilla, who also voted for Cayetano and has publicly supported the Duterte family.

One X user reposted Gonzalez’s statement and said, “Your dedication to performative politics should honestly be studied.”

Gonzalez responded by emphasizing her long-standing involvement in advocacy work.

“I’ve been around way too long in the fight for good governance, since pre social media days, to be categorized as performative,” she said. “Hindi po ako ang kalaban.”

Lifestyle and culture writer Tito Saul later defended Gonzalez in a repost, saying critics should reflect on whether they had completely cut ties with people holding opposing political beliefs.

“To those thinking it’s a clapback to Bianca to mention those two people,” Saul said, likely referring to Gonzaga and Rodriguez, “Can you honestly say that you’ve completely, absolutely cut ties with everyone you know who doesn’t have the same political belief?”

Saul also described Gonzalez as someone capable of influencing people with differing political views, saying that would not be possible if she severed personal relationships over politics.

“Plus, you all well know she’s on our side, no need to gun her for your dopamine. Converse, if you must, but an attack? Unnecessary,” he added.

Gonzalez later thanked Saul for his remarks, replying: “Converse, not attack, very well said and ‘yan din ang lagi kong pinapaalala sa sarili ko!”