MANILA – Regine Velasquez came to the defense of her fellow “Idol Philippines” judges whose credibilities are being attacked by some netizens for being chosen to be part of the panel.

In an interview with reporters ahead of the 35th PMPC Star Awards for Movies on Sunday night, Velasquez said each of them sitting on the judges’ table was chosen for a particular reason.

Like her, Velasquez believes James Reid, Moira dela Torre and Vice Ganda were picked to share their respective expertise.

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“Mayroon kaming mga kanya kanyang specialty. Ako obviously, sa technicals ako. A lot of times, they don’t even question what I say. So kanya kanya kami ng trabaho. They were chosen because mayroon silang expertise din,” she said.

Velasquez also thinks it is good that the show never fails to trend when it airs on weekends.

“That’s a good thing. Very interesting naman kasi talaga 'yung show and the mix of the contestants. Plus you have four different personalities in there na iba din ang tingin sa bawat performance. It’s really interesting,” she said.

While the task is not easy, Velasquez said she understands the great responsibility that comes with being an “Idol Philippines” judge.

“It’s part of our job. When I took on the [job of being] a judge on ‘Idol Philippines,’ I wanted to be honest, hindi para mang-hurt ng feelings or sirain dreams nila. I want for them to be better kaya kailangan ko maging honest. Hindi ko puwedeng sabihin na okay lang pero hindi naman,” she said.

Meanwhile, Velasquez also downplayed the episode where she clashed with dela Torre because they did not agree on something.

“Parang once lang naman nangyari 'yun. Kasi parang kanya kanya kami ng opinion. That was my opinion and she was just trying to also… kumbaga pinagtatanggol niya but unfortunately, I didn’t see it that way. But whatever happens in the ‘Idol’ table, stays in the ‘Idol’ table,” she said.

In an episode which aired last month, Velasquez told a contestant that she sounds similar to dela Torre.

"My problem is, you guys have the same sound to me. You all sound the same. I know it is current, but you sound the same," she said, adding the contestants may have been deliberately trying to sound like dela Torre.

"There are going to be people who appreciate you, and may mga people din na hindi, but whatever sound you decide to go for, make sure na ito 'yung magpapakita kung sino talaga si Leann," dela Torre told the contestant, Leann Ganzon.