Actress and outspoken social commentator Agot Isidro expressed her frustration with Senator Rodante Marcoleta following his controversial remarks against members of the media, even calling for a boycott of the lawmaker.
In a post on X, Isidro shared a report about Marcoleta’s apology to journalists and media organizations and accompanied it with a brief but pointed message.
“Sa mga tiga-media, boycott Marcoleta,” she wrote.
The post quickly drew reactions from both supporters and critics. As expected, Isidro’s comments were met with backlash from some social media users. Responding to her detractors, the actress posted another message on X.
“Abang na abang ang mga kulto ng kadiliman sa mga tweet ko ah. Go lang po,” she said.
The controversy stemmed from statements made by Marcoleta during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee proceeding, where he accused members of the mainstream media of being “bayaran” or paid hacks.
“Kayo pong mga participants sa media, na karamihan po sa inyo ay bayaran,” Marcoleta said during the hearing.
The remarks immediately drew criticism from journalists, media organizations, and government agencies.
The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) condemned the senator’s comments, saying that sweeping accusations against journalists could damage the credibility of the press and potentially expose media practitioners to harm.
“Journalists have a duty to report accurately and impartially, and it is critical that public officials respect their role as watchdogs of accountability and truth,” the agency said in a statement.
The PTFoMS further urged Marcoleta to either provide evidence to support his allegations or withdraw his comments and apologize to those affected.
The Photojournalists’ Center of the Philippines (PCP) also criticized the senator’s remarks, describing them as “sweeping and unsubstantiated accusations” that could encourage harassment, intimidation, and threats against media workers.
“Public officials who make serious allegations against journalists have a responsibility to present evidence, not rely on broad and inflammatory claims that malign an entire profession,” the organization said.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) emphasized that journalism’s primary loyalty is to the public.
“Journalists ferret out the truth and convey it to the public. This includes asking questions to whoever needs to be held accountable,” the organization stated.
The NUJP added that portraying the media as partisan only distracts the public from more pressing issues that deserve attention.
Members of the Senate media corps likewise issued a statement condemning Marcoleta’s remarks, describing them as irresponsible and harmful to public trust in legitimate journalism.
Following the backlash, Marcoleta issued an apology to journalists and media organizations.
“Pasensiya na po kung ako ay nakapagsalita nang gano’n. I did not mean it,” the senator said.
When later questioned by reporters, Marcoleta clarified that he was not referring to all members of the media but to specific individuals whom he believed had failed to report fairly on certain events.
He cited his experience during a large rally in 2025, claiming that despite speaking for approximately 45 minutes, his participation was omitted from some news reports while other politicians received coverage.
Nevertheless, media groups maintained that accusations against journalists should be backed by evidence and addressed through appropriate channels rather than broad public statements.
