Sarah Geronimo, Matteo Guidicelli call out corruption, but his remarks backfired
(From left) Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli. Image: Instagram/@justsarahgph
Sarah Geronimo and husband Matteo Guidicelli are the latest celebrities to express their frustration with alleged corruption in government contracts linked to undelivered flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), but actor-entrepreneur’s remarks backfired.
In separate instances, Geronimo and Guidicelli aired their sentiments, drawing a myriad reaction from their followers on social media.
Geronimo drew laughs as she was engaging in banter with Drs. Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho about their aesthetic clinic’s beauty products, wherein she made a reference to the ongoing flood control projects issue.
“Yung ceramide sini-seal nya yng butas para di lumalabas yung tubig (Ceramide seals the holes to lock in moisture,” said Kho.
Geronimo interjected, saying, “Pero ‘yung kalsada d’un, hindi na-absorb ‘yung tubig kasi tinipid. Buti na lang ang [products], hindi tinitipid (But the roads couldn’t absorb water because of scrimping. It’s a good thing that your products are not made poorly),” the singer-actress said in a clip shared by Belo on Friday, August 29.
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Aside from the celebrity doctors who were amused by Geronimo’s remarks, Chie Filomeno and Samantha Bernardo sided with the “Umaaligid” singer in the comments.
Screenshots from Instagram/@victoria_belo
‘Transparency, accountability, and integrity’
On the other hand, Guidicelli gave a more substantial remark about the issue, as he underscored the importance of “transparency, accountability, and integrity” in pushing for change.
“Real change begins with transparency, accountability, and integrity,” he said on X (formerly Twitter).
Real change begins with transparency, accountability, and integrity. 🇵🇭
— Matteo Guidicelli (@mateoguidicelli) August 30, 2025
Guidicelli then explained why these aforementioned values matter in a series of follow-up posts, saying this leads to “corruption [being harder] to hide” and growth of “trust in the government.”
1 of 3 : Transparency
This is about openness, making sure decisions, budgets, projects, and actions by those in power are visible to the public. When there’s transparency: •Corruption is harder to hide. •Citizens are empowered to ask questions. •Trust in government grows.
In…
— Matteo Guidicelli (@mateoguidicelli) August 30, 2025
2 of 3 : Accountability
This means owning up to mistakes or wrongdoings. Facing real consequences. It’s not just about identifying corruption; it’s about doing something about it: •Those who misuse power must be removed, fined, or jailed. •It ensures justice is served. •It…
— Matteo Guidicelli (@mateoguidicelli) August 30, 2025
3 of 3 : Integrity
Integrity is the internal compass, doing the right thing even when no one is watching. It’s about values: •Leaders who lead by example. •Citizens who choose honesty over shortcuts. •A system that values moral courage over convenience.
This is what changes…
— Matteo Guidicelli (@mateoguidicelli) August 30, 2025
Guidicelli’s his lengthy posts, however, was met with a negative feedback as netizens pointed out his support for former president Rodrigo Duterte, during whose term transparency and accountability had allegedly been in question.
Idol mo hindi transparent, hindi accountable, at walang integrity pic.twitter.com/yDebQ8ofuh
— Jesus Falcis 🇵🇭 (@jesusfalcis) August 31, 2025
DDS ka diba. The mere fact that you’re a DDS is a sign of you being naive and ignorant.
— Kennydoc.ETH (@joyfulclara) August 30, 2025
I didn’t hear you say the same words nung ayaw ipakita ni Duterte SALN nya. And you know what SALN is for? —>Transparency, integrity & public trust.
— ƬӇЄƠƦЄƬƖƇƛԼ_ƬƖƓЄƦ (@Alistair_Jlee) August 30, 2025
Trew! https://t.co/thNgHIImv0 pic.twitter.com/exqvVZJ5FG
— Anima Cristi Fermean (@thequeenanima) August 30, 2025
Matteo was the leading man in one of Duterte’s propaganda films though 🤭 https://t.co/mfwHjZ83GN
— Yogiiee Bear (@yogiieebear) August 31, 2025
Bakit ang ingay nito ngayon? Nasaan ang tapang na ito nung 2022 when the real change had the best chance to happen? Pati si Sarah biglang naging political. Ano’ng meron? https://t.co/5uREiZIHJS
— PBB Cessmosa (@cessmossa) August 30, 2025
Other netizens agreed with the actor’s remarks, with one @cliffhoodxx pointing out that Guidicelli seemingly had “a change of heart.”
What if he really supported Duterte in the past, and ngayon maybe maybe realized na may mali siya noon, and redemption niya na to?
Isn’t that what we want? If pilit nyong dinidiin dahil binoto nya si Duterte noon, bat di natin gawin din sa ibang celebs? https://t.co/GYMtZ17SlF
— kurama (@cliffhoodxx) August 31, 2025
Aside from Geronimo and Guidicelli, other celebrities who used their platforms to speak up about the ongoing issue are Gabbi Garcia, Edu Manzano, Nadine Lustre, Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Bianca Gonzalez, and Pokwang, to name a few. /edv
