When a photo of Jerome Ponce with his girlfriend Sachzna Laparan and the mother of actress Christine Laparan Policarpio went viral on social media, some netizens labeled him a “traitor.”

Mrs. Policarpio praised Maid In Malacañang on Facebook on August 15, 2022, and then thanked Jerome for accompanying her and her daughter to see the film.

Attached to this is their selfie on the Viva Films movie poster, which discusses the last days of the Marcos family before they were ousted from Malacañang due to the historic People Power Revolution in February 1986.

Some netizens who were dissatisfied with Jerome voted it down.

Jerome starred in Katips, a period musical drama about groups of student activists during the martial law era. Sachzna is also in the cast.

Katips and Maid in Malacañang hit theaters at the same time.

Vince Taada, director and producer of Katips, responded when asked if he felt bad for Jerome as a result of the incident.

He stated, “Ang ano ko lang sa kanya, nag-demand ako na makapanood siya uli ng mga screening [ng Katips].

“Ang sinabi lang naman niya, ‘E, napanood ko na Direk, e.’ Yun lang naman ang sagot niya.

“Pero siguro, kung sasabihin mo na sumama ang loob ko, mas nandun sa nauunawaan ko siya bilang artista.

“Maging ako, sasabihin ko sa inyo, pinanood ko yung Maid In Malacañang. Hindi nga lang ako nag-picture-picture katulad niya.

“Pero pinanood ko din, kasi tama lang naman yun na panoorin natin kasi kasabay nating pelikula. Gusto mo ring tingnan.”

Vince was interviewed at the press conference for Katips’ world tour, which was held on September 7, 2022, at the PSF Blackbox Theater in Manila.