MANILA – Regine Velasquez shed some tears as she empathized with Kim Chiu who became the object of online ridicule last month over a statement she made in defense of her embattled home network ABS-CBN.

In a Facebook Live session with her husband Ogie Alcasid on Monday, Velasquez said Chiu did not deserve all the bashing she received just because she shared her thoughts about the ABS-CBN shutdown.

“Sa totoo lang, tama 'yung sinabi niya. She has her own point of view. Meron siyang sarili niyang opinion about the matter. Sa ibang tao siguro, hindi tama 'yung pagkakarinig nila or pagkakaintindi nila. But sa sarili niya, meron siyang gustong ipahiwatig sa mga tao,” she said.

Coming to the defense of Chiu, Velasquez said the actress was just trying to make a complicated issue more understandable.

“She was trying to make it simple. That’s why she used the classroom set up, 'yung analogy ng classroom. Siguro sa isip niya, kagaya niya na hindi naman siya lawyer, ito ang naiintindihan niya. But of course, a lot of people medyo minasama at sinabi na mali ang sinabi niya. They were even saying ang bobo naman, sana hindi na lang nagsalita,” she said.

The veteran singer said the incident should be a lesson for everyone.

“Ang lesson ay sa ating lahat. People mocked her, judged her and said she was stupid. It should be a lesson to us. Wala pong perfect. Kayo po ba ay hindi nagkakamali?” she said.

After saying she has more admiration for Chiu now, Velasquez went on to describe the actress as someone who has a beautiful heart.

“I really love her because I can see how kind she is. Hindi pa naman ako matagal sa ABS at marami pa akong hindi kilala. Pero isa si Kim sa talagang tuwang tuwa ako. I am drawn to her because she’s very kind. Parang walang mean bone sa bata na 'yun. She is a wonderful and kind person,” she said.

With her eyes welling up with tears, Velasquez said Chiu is such an inspiration, especially to young kids.

“It takes character and strength para mahanap mo 'yun sa isang tao. Nakaka-proud si Kim. Natutuwa ako sa mga tao na mababait tapos minsan nakakainis na kung sino pa ang mababait, sila pa ang naba-bash,” she said.

Watch Velasquez and Alcasid's full video below.