Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta from Sagip partylist called ABS-CBN reporter Mike Navallo “un-Filipino” for a story that had been released before the lawmaker could hold a press conference that he asked the reporter to set up.
In his lengthy interpellation, Marcoleta accused the reporter for releasing public records of his past comments without allowing the legislature time to respond.
“Allegiance po ay importante ma-instill natin sa ABS-CBN, ang kaugaliang Pilipino. Yung ginawa po ung reporter na ‘yun na banatan po ako sa kabila ng pagsang-ayon na yan kami ay magzuzoom kinabukasan, hindi po ugaling Pilipino yun.”
Technically, the exclusive report of Navallo was based on legislative records, which are public records.
Despite Navallo being tagged ‘un Filipino’ for his report, he gained the support of his colleagues after being attacked by Marcoleta during ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal hearing.
News anchor Karen Davila defended Navallo as she tagged public officials as shameful for attacking him for simply reporting the truth.
“Grace under pressure @mikenavallo. Shame on public officials who go to such low levels.”
Grace under pressure @mikenavallo. Shame on public officials who go to such low levels. https://t.co/JKGKLTpnDM
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) June 8, 2020
Fellow journalist Felipe Salvosa reported Marcoleta can not oblige Navallo to withhold publication simply because he wishes to postpone his remarks,
“Rep. Marcoleta cannot compel a journalist to withhold publication/airing because he wants to delay comment. Between the public record that @mikenavallo so ably dug up and Marcoleta’s weak denials, the former withstands scrutiny. The latter loses credibility.”
Rep. Marcoleta cannot compel a journalist to withhold publication/airing because he wants to delay comment. Between the public record that @mikenavallo so ably dug up and Marcoleta’s weak denials, the former withstands scrutiny. The latter loses credibility. https://t.co/8dfyo5Ead8
— Felipe Salvosa II (@felipesalvosa) June 8, 2020
Veteran journalist Inday Varona underscores that public records are source documents so that reporting on such resources does not necessarily need confirmation. But being a good reporter, Navallo had tried to get Marcoleta’s side to explain his contradicting actions on two franchises.
Public records are source documents. @mikenavallo did the “extra mile” work that good reporters do — get in touch w Marcoleta to try to understand why he moved from point a to point b (dual citizens owning a media firm) and c (no franchise for networks after a certain time)
— inday espina varona (@indayevarona) June 8, 2020
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is supporting its affiliate, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), also gave their statement in regards to Marcolleta’s allegations and seeks an apology from the politician.
According to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, “If, as Marcoleta claims, Navallo’s report was wrong, the proper thing to do would be to call the attention of the station and file his complaint, not turn the halls of Congress into a bully pulpit to slake his personal vendetta.
Clearly, Marcoleta owes not only Navallo but Lopez and the ABS-CBN network who he unjustly maligned by his irresponsible accusations and faulty logic, a very public and, hopefully, sincere apology.”
