Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Friday fired tirades against ABS-CBN anchors, accusing them of having “anti-administration” biases.
In his program “Counterpoint” aired online by Radio-Television Malacañang, the former presidential spokesman said the reporting of some ABS-CBN reporters were “on the contrary of truth.”
“Marami sa inyo, sa halip na makatulong kayo, e talagang mayayamot, kasi yung mga pahayag ninyo ay palaging taliwas sa katotohanan,” he said.
Panelo singled out ABS-CBN News Channel’s Christian Esguerra, accusing him of nitpicking and only focusing on government criticisms in his reporting.
Esguerra is a multi-awarded journalist and educator who spent 15 years as a reporter for the Philippine Daily Inquirer. He received the Award of Distinction from the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility and the Titus Brandsma Award in 2019.
Panelo said: “Gaya ni Christian Esguerra. Batang-bata, pero kapag ito nagiinterview, palaging anti-administrasyon. Bihirang-bihira ‘yung administrasyon.”
“Pagkatapos, fini-feed niya pa sa bibig ng mga iniinterview niya ‘yung gusto niyang ilabas na negatibo sa administrasyon. Hoy, Christian, baguhin mo na istilo mo,” he added.
Panelo also called out ABS-CBN’s Peter Musngi, saying “hindi kayo nakakatulong.”
After calling the anchors biased, Panelo advised them to be like his preferred “suave” anchor instead.
“Gayahin mo si Ted Failon, medyo swabeng dumiskarte,” he said.
Panelo also called on employees of shuttered network ABS-CBN not to blame the government for losing their jobs.
“Principally, it is the duty of ABS-CBN to take care of its employees. In the first place, they should have prepared for this,” he said.
ABS-CBN has announced that it would start laying off workers in August following Congress’ denial of its franchise application.
Among the big names given pink slips were ABS-CBN News veterans Ces Drilon and Korina Sanchez. John Ezekiel J. Hirro