Former broadcaster and talk show host Jay Sonza maligned ABS-CBN on its ‘Pantawid Pag-ibig COVID-19 Fund Raising Campaign.
In the spirit of misinformation, he claimed that ABS-CBN has NOT delivered and turned over the 1,000 sacks of rice to the Local Government of Malolos.
https://www.facebook.com/t2j.sonza/posts/3191810647505001
His followers quickly reacted with hateful words against the network.
Karen Vasquez Kasai: “Magsasara na puro PanLoloko parin ginagawa sa mga tao!!!!mhiya nmn kyo abs cbn !!!o yung mga die hard talents nyu ipaglandakan nyu un tulong ng station nyo kuno!!!!jusko nkkbuset gnyng balita!!!”
Athena Granados: “Dapat talaga wag magdonate sa foundation. Iderecho.na lang natin sa mga nangangailangan sa paligid nation.”
Bucci Lopez: “Kaya nga ba ayaw naming mag donate sa bogus na foundation na yan. Pinagkakakitaan lang! 🤦🏻♂️ Dun kayo kay Angel Locsin mag donate siguradong makakarating!”
Sonza’s claim was proven to be false as Governor Daniel R. Fernando posted an actual photo of the goods (1,000 sacks of rice) delivered by ABS-CBN Foundation.
This photo was posted on their official Facebook page prior to Sonza’s accusations, which means Sonza could have easily verified his wrong information before posting.
https://www.facebook.com/PGBulacan/photos/a.604609622987235/2852551614859680/?type=3&theater
While being bombarded with hateful speeches and fake news, ABS-CBN’s Pantawid ng Pag-Ibig Program has helped and will continue to help Filipinos that are in need.
As a matter of fact, the said Foundation has delivered its first P100M worth of goods to LGUs for fellow Filipinos affected by quarantine. Over 200,000 families all over Metro Manila will soon receive food and necessities purchased using donations to the network’s “Pantawid ng Pag-ibig” campaign.
ABS-CBN has extended the operations of “Pantawid ng Pag-ibig” to Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal as it continues to bring help to Filipinos who are unable to make a living and provide for their families due to the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Under the newly-signed Bayanihan to Heal as One act, which grants President Rodrigo Duterte additional powers to solve the COVID-19 crisis, also contains a provision which punishes those who will be found guilty of creating or spreading misaligned, misinformed news to the public with a two-month jail sentence or a fine of ₱10,000 to ₱1 million.
In another turn of the screw, Sonza has also spread fake news against CNN Philippines just few weeks ago! He shamelessly posted that CNN will be shutting down momentarily because some of its staff are confirmed positive with COVID19.
https://www.facebook.com/t2j.sonza/posts/3140787135940686
Tristan Nodalo, a reporter from CNN Philippines cleared things up on Facebook, saying that “it is not one of our employees who has COVID-19 but someone in the building where CNN Philippines is located, which is the Worldwide Corporate Center on Shaw Blvd. in Mandaluyong.”
CNN Philippines won’t be operating for at least a day to make sure things are safe.
“We are going off the air for at least 24 hours so the building can be sanitized to eliminate contaminants.”
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10219204420653881&set=a.1590670699213&type=3
The company claims that they have been preparing for something like this to happen. They will continue reporting news via social media.
Sonza has nearly 170k followers on Facebook, and sadly, most of them believed his post based on their reactions. The number of followers Sonza has is big enough to be a bearer of good and reliable news, a good model and influence to netizens. Hope that one day, Sonza will find it in his heart to see the good in every situation, whether that situation includes ABS-CBN or not.
