Veteran broadcaster Korina Sanchez’s shows, ‘Rated Korina’ and ‘Korina Interviews’, have issued a strong statement in response to Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto’s Facebook post questioning past interviews with contractors-turned-politicians Sarah and Curlee Discaya.
The shows’ joint staff statement read:
“Dear Mayor Sotto,
The platforms Korina Interviews and Rated Korina both take pride in its standards in storytelling and production. Both shows are multi awarded by credible award-giving bodies through the years. Our host Ms. Korina Sanchez Roxas has her esteemed place in the industry for very sturdy reasons.
Firstly, in choosing subjects and topics for our shows, there must be public interest in it, plus a story to tell. Second, bashing or criticizing or slandering other personalities or businesses is strictly disallowed. Third, subjects simply tell their lifestory. This is no investigative piece.”
The statement emphasized that the Discayas’ “rags to riches” feature was aired in November 2024 and January 2025—before the campaign period—and was not investigative but a success story profile.
“Yes, Mayor Sotto, there are payments for certain businesses such as that of the Discayas, products, personalities, companies or politicians much like payments made for advertisements—and these go to the network with an official receipt issued to client. There is no such thing as a P10 million placement for an interview. It is irresponsible to even say such, to say the least. As your malice is posted on Facebook and publicly besmirches the reputation of Ms. Sanchez, this clearly constitutes cyber libel,” the staff said.
They further noted that Korina only learned on the day of taping that Sarah Discaya was a mayoralty candidate, adding:
“In fairness to Ms. Sanchez, our host interviewer, she only found out she was interviewing a Pasig mayoralty candidate on the day itself and it was not Ms. Sanchez who was in contact with the couple for the interview.”
The production also called out Sotto’s remarks as “slanderous.”
“To insinuate that our show is irresponsible in that we only air what is paid for is slanderous. Who are we to presume our interviewees as evil with no basis or evidence long before they come into controversy?”
They added: “Mr. Mayor, just because you won your seat of public trust, this does not put you in a position of authority over editorial prerogative nor does it give you license to cast doubt against the integrity of seasoned journalists only because they interviewed your opponent (who did not say anything against you in said shows) and that you refuse to be interviewed.”
Mayor Vico Sotto earlier criticized “well-known journalists” for accepting interviews with contractors entering politics in exchange for large sums of money. Without naming names, he posted screenshots of Julius Babao and Korina Sanchez’s interviews with the Discayas.
“Bago tanggapin ng mga kilalang journalists ang alok para mag-interview ng Contractor na Pumapasok sa Politika, hindi ba nila naisip na, ‘Uy teka, ba’t kaya handa ’to magbigay ng 10 million para lang magpa-interview sa akin??’”* he wrote.
The mayor clarified in the comments section that he did not intend to create enemies but felt the issue needed to be discussed.
“Hindi naman sa gusto kong gumawa ng bagong kaaway… pero tingin ko kailangan din mapag-usapan ito eh,” Sotto said.
The controversy stems from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s disclosure last August 11 that 15 contractors—including firms owned by the Discayas—cornered 20% of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ ₱545-billion flood control budget.
Mayor Vico pointed out that Discaya-owned companies such as Alpha & Omega, St. Timothy, and St. Gerrard Construction were among the top contractors. He also cited Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas, who alleged that some Discaya projects in Iloilo were “non-functional,” “caused flooding,” or were “practically non-existent.”
The Discayas’ rise—and their ties to government projects—have since drawn renewed scrutiny of past media features.
As of writing, Julius Babao has not yet released a statement regarding Sotto’s remarks.
