ABS-CBN employee defends the network on allegations that it is biased

Last April 25, Katrina Sotto, a Trade Marketing Manager for ABS-CBN, expressed her feelings of dismay on Facebook over accusations that the Kapamilya Network is biased towards certain presidential candidates.

“Working at ABS is not just a job. For many of us, it is a calling,” Sotto shared. “At ABS, we imbibe values of honesty, integrity, and respect. We take those values to heart. Our mission is always to be of service to Filipinos worldwide… We believe that our work has [a] greater purpose. We do not stay at ABS just so we can pay the bills.”

She then went on to defend the network’s News department. “Their sense of duty to our country is beyond compare. News is comprised of many hardworking individuals who sacrifice time with their families so that they can serve the public.”

Sotto further explained that while those who work in the News Department have their own opinions and choice of candidates, she believes that “They cannot be dictated on to either favor or attempt to destroy a candidate.”

But she also acknowledged that her colleagues are also prone to committing mistakes. “In our industry, our mistakes are seen by the public. When our mistakes cast doubt on our company’s values, it is a source of humiliation for us.”

Currently reaching over 1,300 reactions and 485 shares, Facebook users seem to applaud Sotto’s apparent heartfelt defense.

“Kung alam lang nila (If they only knew) how we value integrity in our work.” Greg Gregorio, a former ABS-CBN employee replied. “Yung mga nagsasabing biased ang ABS, sa totoo lang, sila ang biased kasi gumagawa sila ng conclusions ng walang konkretong basehan kundi puro kathang-isip o haka-haka lamang. (In reality, those who say ABS is biased are the ones who are biased themselves, coming to conclusions without basis, which are merely products of imagination or are just conjecture.)

“I’m glad to read this,” Marcelle Fabie commented. “In the heat of elections, people forget the media are people, too.”

Here’s the full post of Katrina Sotto on her Facebook account: