Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano, wife and manager of singer Gary Valenciano, has spoken out in defense of longtime friend Nadia Montenegro, who resigned as political adviser to Sen. Robin Padilla after being linked to alleged marijuana use inside the Senate.
On Saturday, Aug. 16, Angeli called the accusations “terribly unjust,” citing her 25-year friendship with Nadia, whom she described as a devout Christian, mother of eight, and active member of their Artists-in-Touch ministry alongside Ogie Alcasid, Tirso Cruz III, Kuh Ledesma, and other industry figures.
“She is an intelligent, godly, and brilliant woman, always silently helping the poor,” Angeli wrote, adding that Montenegro had survived cancer and undergone heart surgery in 2024.
“Why on earth would she even engage in substance abuse at the Senate?” she added.
Nadia denied the allegations in a five-page letter, clarifying she only used a grape-flavored vape, which she believes may have been mistaken for marijuana. She said her resignation was not an admission of guilt but a step to protect her mental health and children.
Padilla’s office confirmed accepting her resignation as the Senate prepares to resume mandatory random drug testing for staff amid the controversy.
