Content creator and LGBTQ+ advocate Sassa Gurl has withdrawn her support for senatorial candidate Heidi Mendoza following the former Commission on Audit (COA) commissioner’s controversial remarks against same-sex marriage.
On Tuesday, April 8, Sassa took to her X account, stating that she respected Mendoza’s stand but could no longer endorse her candidacy.
“Iginagalang ko po ang tindig ni Mam Heidi Mendoza hingil sa usapin ng marriage equality kaya ikinalulungkot ko pong ipinapaalam na binabawi ko po ang aking suporta,” she wrote.
“Hiling ko rin po ang inyong pang-unawa sa aking naging desisyon. Paumanhin at pasasalamat po sa inyo,” added Sassa.
Mendoza, who has recently drawn both praise and criticism for her debate statements on marriage equality, responded to Sassa’s post.
“No problem! Maraming maraming salamat pa din,” said Mendoza.
During a recent political debate, Mendoza explained her opposition to same-sex marriage by emphasizing the importance of recognizing traditional institutions.
“Lahat ay may karapatan magmahal. Subalit, ang tunay na pagmamahal marunong kumilala at gumalang ng institusyon. Sa family code, magkakaroon tayo ng hindi pagsasang-ayon,” Mendoza stated on stage.
Despite her position, Mendoza insisted she was not against the LGBTQ+ community.
“Tara magmahal. Ginagalang ko ito kasama ang LGBT community. Hindi lang puro deklarasyon. Hindi lang papogi sa boto. I am not against love. We are against a system that refuses to honor it,” she explained.
Sassa publicly backed Mendoza in March, lauding the candidate’s advocacy against corruption and support for gender development.
