E-commerce platform Shopee Philippines is under fire from netizens as they react to the announcements of its latest endorser, Toni Gonzaga.
The announcement, along with the news that Shopee was downsizing its workforce in the Philippines, caused the hashtags #BoycottShopee and #ByeShopee, along with the terms “Otin G”, Shopee, and rival platform Lazada, to all trend on Twitter as netizens expressed their disappointment with the company. Many users also called others to uninstall the online shopping app from their phones.
Toni G, as she’s popularly known, became a controversial figure when she publicly supported President Bongbong Marcos and Vice President Sarah Duterte during the 2022 national elections.
Shopee, however, said to Inquirer that they chose Toni Gonzaga as a brand ambassador because she is a popular female celebrity, chosen for her “mass appeal” and not for her political inclinations.
See also: Shopee downsizing workforce in PH, teases new endorser
Meanwhile, other netizens are quick to remind others to reconsider their position, saying that those who will suffer from the boycott of Shopee the most are the thousands of sellers on the platform who have nothing to do with the company’s decision.
