As the heated exchange continues between Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and broadcast veterans Korina Sanchez and Julius Babao, an old interview of Karen Davila has resurfaced online, once again sparking conversation about media integrity.
In June 2021, Davila guested on Ogie Diaz’s vlog where she candidly admitted that throughout her career as a journalist, she had been offered bribes multiple times—particularly during her years on radio.
“Alam mo ang pinakamalaking attempt sa suhol? Sa radyo. Kasi sa radyo, hindi mo alam ang komentaryo eh. Napakadali,” she recalled.
Despite the attempts, Davila stressed that she never accepted any amount of money: “Ito po ang masasabi ko sa inyo na talagang with a straight face is all the times na I have been offered, I have never taken a single centavo in my life. Because I felt ayoko babuyin ‘yung propesyon ko.”
Davila explained that her decision to reject bribes was tied to her belief that credibility and respect in journalism can only be earned by protecting one’s integrity.
“Hindi din naman ako magiging ganito o rerespetuhin ng ganito kung kakalat rin eh. Na ‘ay tumatanggap ‘yan.’ Kakalat ‘yun. Alam niyo, maliit ang Pilipinas, maliit ang news. Malalaman nila. Nako, tumitira ‘yan pero tumatanggap ‘yan.”
She admitted, however, that accusations of being “bayaran” remain painful: “Masakit ‘yun… when you’ve made such an effort na hindi gawin ‘yun tapos ‘yun pa ang ititira sa’yo. But what’s important is the Lord knows, and my bosses know.”
The award-winning journalist also recalled the biggest bribe attempt she received, involving a high-stakes issue in the oil industry.
“May ‘name your price’. Sabi, ‘Name your price kada-buwan’… nagbanggit pa ng presyo ng ibang anchors. Dinala pa ako sa restaurant. Sabi, ‘Karen, no one will ever know.’ And I said, ‘But I will know. It’s not true that no one ever knows. People will always know.’”
Davila remains a trusted figure in Philippine media today, continuing to anchor TV Patrol, co-host My Puhunan: Kaya Mo with Migs Bustos, and produce content on her personal YouTube channel.
