Jonas Gaffud, the chief executive and president ofMiss Universe Philippines, has come under criticism online after a video appeared to show him forcefully swinging a mobile phone during the organisation's 2026 coronation night. The clip, filmed at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, quickly spread across social media.
Online users accused Gaffud of throwing the phone at a staff member during a technical problem near the end of the live broadcast. Miss Universe Philippines executives have since denied that anyone was struck, saying the reaction happened while crews were dealing with microphone issues involving host Ralph de Leon.
Gaffud is a longtime talent manager and pageant executive who has helped shape the careers of several well-known Filipino beauty queens. The footage has since triggered wider discussion online about workplace conduct and the intense environment surrounding major live productions.
Miss Universe Philippines Executive Vice President Voltaire Tayag, who said he was seated beside Gaffud at the time, publicly defended the executive following the online reaction.
In interviews withPhilippine media outlets, Tayag said Gaffud became upset while attempting to contact the production team after microphones reportedly stopped working during the programme.
'HE DID NOT THROW THE PHONE AT ANYONE'WATCH: Miss Universe Philippines Executive Vice President Voltaire Tayag talks to the INQUIRER about the incident caught on a now viral video showing the pageant's president Jonas Gaffud getting furious during the coronation night on May 2.…pic.twitter.com/ijz0T4XtHw
Miss Universe Philippines Executive Vice President Voltaire Tayag defended the pageant CEO Jonas Gaffud's viral video of an alleged "cellphone throwing" and clarified that Gaffud was just "so frustrated" with the mic incident during the coronation night.Read:…pic.twitter.com/ETJYugRC9O
According to Tayag, there was no mobile signal inside the arena at the time, making communication difficult. He said it was 'very clear' that Gaffud did not hit anyone with the phone and described the reaction as a result of mounting stress during the live event.
Tayag also said he later joked with Gaffud about potentially damaging the phone. The organisation maintained that online interpretations of the clip exaggerated what took place.
The disruption reportedly happened shortly before the conclusion of the pageant, one of the Philippines' biggest annual televised events. Executives involved in the show said months of preparation and significant financial investment had gone into the production.
Source: International Business Times UK
