Veteran entertainment reporter and talent manager Ogie Diaz called on actor-turned-politician Alfred Vargas to clarify his remarks after a viral video showed him allegedly mocking the physical appearance of his opponents in the upcoming midterm elections.

https://www.facebook.com/61572134186274/videos/9503958972972241

On a Facebook post, Diaz shared a clip of Vargas speaking at what appeared to be a campaign sortie, where he addressed supporters and political allies clad in blue.

“Baka gustong linawin ito ni Alfred Vargas. Puro nega ang comment sa kanya,” Diaz wrote. “Bakit dumating na raw siya sa ganitong point ng pamumulitika?” (I hope Alfred Vargas can offer clarification. All the comments toward him are negative. How has he fallen into this style of politics?)

Vargas, who is running for councilor in the 5th district of Quezon City, claimed that he and his brother, Rep. PM Vargas, selected good-looking allies, while their opponents purportedly resembled drug addicts.

“Kasi kami, halimbawa kami ni Cong. PM, pag namimili kami, pinipili namin ‘yung magaganda’t gwapo. Kasi kung titingnan ninyo, ‘yung mga nakukuhang leaders ng mga kalaban namin, mga mukhang adik,” drawing cheers and laughter from the crowd. (But Cong. PM and I, for example, when we pick community leaders, we select good-looking ones. Meanwhile, the other camp’s leaders look like addicts.)

He continued, “Totoo, ‘di ba? Tsaka puro may mga utang. Hindi nagbabayad. Totoo, ‘di ba? Kilala namin ‘yung mga leaders ng kabila e. Hindi ba, bro? Kaya sa tingin ko, Colonel, marami kayong ikukulong na mga adik.” (It’s true, isn’t it, and they’re riddled with debts they’re not paying. Right? We’re familiar with the other camps leaders, right, bro? That’s why I think, Colonel, you’re going to be locking up many addicts.)

During the same event, Vargas also made remarks against Rose Nono Lin, head of the Rose Lin Foundation.

The video was originally posted by the Facebook page Kilusan Kontra Korapsiyon and has since generated backlash from netizens.

“Ikaw naman ay isang malaking kahihiyan. Konsehal ka pero ang tabas ng dila mo para manghusga sa mga leaders ay ganyan? Malayong-malayo ang mararating mo—hanggang sa hindi ka na makabalik ulit,” one commenter wrote. (You’re shameful. You’re a councilor, and that’s how you talk about leaders? You’re so far beyond redemption.)

Another netizen added: “Nakakahiya bukang-bibig mo! Magkapatid nga kayo, lahat gagawin para manira lang ng taong may paninindigan. Hindi na kayo karapat-dapat mamahala sa Distrito Singko. Lalong lalala ang korapsyon kapag kayo pa ang namuno.” (You should be ashamed of what’s coming from your mouth. You two really are brothers, both willing to do anything to pull down someone with conviction. You two don’t deserve to serve District 5. We will only see corruption worsen if you are our leaders.)

This was not the first time Diaz publicly criticized Vargas.

In a 2021 YouTube vlog, Diaz expressed his disappointment over Vargas’ decision to abstain from voting on the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise during his tenure in Congress.