Veteran newscaster and radio host, Arnold “Igan” Clavio, backed fellow journalists, Korina Sanchez and Julius Babao, and questioned Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto’s knowledge about their profession.
“Ano ang alam mo sa propesyon namin Mayor? Ano ang ‘grey areas’ na binabanggit mo? Gusto kong malaman. Balik ko sa iyo ito Mayor, ‘wag na tayong maglokohan’ Talaga?” Clavio wrote in a social media post on Friday, August 22.
“Wala ka bang District Engineer sa ang Pasig City? Wala ka bang kongresista? Wala ba siyang insertions? Wala ka bang flood control projects? Wala ka bang Bids and Awards Committee?” he added.
This comes after the two broadcasters denied allegations that they accepted P10 million from a contractor who ran against Sotto for mayor in exchange for interviews. Sanchez and Babao have defended their interviews, describing them as lifestyle storytelling.
The interview in question was released during a time when Sarah Discaya was running for a seat in office at Pasig City.
“Mayor, kung mayroon kang matibay na ebidensiya laban kina Babao at Sanchez , na nagpabayad sa mag-asawang Discaya para sila ay makapanayam, ilantad mo,” Clavio wrote.
Clavio expressed his disappointment, stating that he did not expect that such an “irresponsible” statement would come from Sotto himself.
“Huwag kang magtago sa mga pasaring, parinig o haka-haka, dahil sa industriya namin mahalaga ang terminong ‘verification’ ng facts sa pagbabalita. Maraming pinagdadaanan ang isang balita bago ito umere,” the journalist stated.
Taking from experience, Clavio explained that his work as a journalist for a top television network and radio station requires careful verification and approval from news managers. Moreover, Clavio said that journalists are facing a huge challenge when it comes to credibility, as social media and mainstream media now play a role in disseminating information.
“Mayor, huwag ka nang makisawsaw sa mapanganib na panahon dahil sa sarili mong interes na politikal. Nasa demokrasya tayo at may karapatan ang sinuman na marinig ang kanilang panig,” Clavio wrote.
“May trabaho ka. May trabaho rin kami. Respeto. Walang personalan,” he ended.
