PASIG Mayor Vico Sotto has stirred fresh debate over media credibility, as he called out veteran journalists Korina Sanchez and Julius Babao for allegedly airing paid features with contractors tied to controversial flood control projects.
The allegation surfaced as scrutiny mounts over multimillion-peso Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) contracts for flood control projects that were awarded but never completed.
Among the contractors implicated are Curlee and Sarah Discaya, who appeared in 2024 interviews on Sanchez’s television program and Babao’s YouTube channel.
On his official Facebook page, Sotto called attention to the now-viral interviews of the Discayas, sharing screenshots of their appearances with Korina Sanchez and Julius Babao.
“I know for a fact that there are many good, honest people in media who are disappointed, if not angered, at practices like this which undermine the integrity of their profession,” captioned Sotto.
Sotto said the interviews may not have been technically illegal but described them as shameful and contrary to the spirit of journalistic ethics. He noted that such features could be framed as lifestyle content or sponsorships, but argued that this reasoning was misleading.
“They rose to national prominence as broadcast journalists/news personalities; puhunan [dapat] nila ang kanilang reputasyon at kredibilidad… at sa ganitong kalakaran, ito rin ang reputasyon at kredibilidad na pinahihiram nila sa mga corrupt kapalit ng […],” Sotto said, following his statement with a money icon.
In the same post, he suggested that the interviews were allegedly paid placements, hinting at an amount of PHP10 million being offered to secure airtime. Sotto alleged that this was not an exact figure.
“Hindi naman sa gusto kong gumawa ng bagong kaaway.. pero tingin ko kailangan din mapag-usapan ito eh. Nagkataon malakas ako nung halalan pero kung sa iba nila ginawa to? Baka wala na,” he added in the comments.
To recall, Sarah Discaya also challenged Sotto in the 2022 mayoral race but lost by a wide margin.
A Cyberlibel Case
In separate statements, Sanchez and Babao promptly addressed the allegations made by Sotto.
In a statement obtained by The Philippine STAR, the programs Rated Korina and Korina Interviews defended their credibility.
“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,” said Sanchez’s camp.
They contended that the Discayas’ rags-to-riches feature was simply “their story” and denied Sotto’s allegation of a PHP10-million placement.
“There is no such thing as a P10 million placement for an interview. It is irresponsible to even say such, to say the least,” they said.
“As your malice is posted on Facebook and publicly besmirches the reputation of Ms. Sanchez, this clearly constitutes cyber libel. To insinuate that our show is irresponsible in that we only air what is paid for is slanderous,” they added.
The STAR has since taken down its post carrying Sanchez’s camp’s statement, upon the latter’s request. According to STAR’s article, the programs explained they are still coordinating with their lawyers and will issue an updated statement soon.
Meanwhile, Julius Babao issued a statement through an interview with PEP.ph. He denied ever receiving PHP10 million for the Discaya interview.
He insisted that the interview was a lifestyle feature, not a news report.
“At the time and month in 2024 when the interview was made, it was a profile feature of a couple who rose from rags to riches because of their different business ventures,” said Babao.
“Walang katotohanang may 10 million na involved for this interview,” he added.
Babao also pointed out that Sarah had not yet declared her candidacy for Pasig City mayor when their conversation took place last year.
“Nung mangyari ang interview, wala pang nabanggit na plano ang mag-asawa na papasukin nila ang pulitika. Hindi pa din lumabas ang kahit anong isyu na may kinalaman sa kanilang mga government projects nung panahong ito. Ang nais lang nila noon ay ma-share ang kanilang success story sa publiko,” he said.
