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NUJP, netizens denounce Rep. Rodante Marcoleta for bullying ABS-CBN reporter

“Meron po silang reporter, na nakiusap saakin makakuha ng clarification sa ibang issue, alam niyo po ba anong ginawa niya, ibinalita na po niya sa TV patrol lahat ng gusto niya i-clarify, hindi niya po ako binigyan ng panahon.”

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and netizens reacted to SAGIP Partylist Rep. Rodante D. Marcoleta attack on ABS-CBN news reporter Mike Navallo who made a report on the congressman.

On June 3, Navallo released a report that probed Marcoleta’s current position on the ABS-CBN franchise renewal.

His report said that based on Marcoleta’s legislative record, the latter authored bills granting franchises to companies with more than 50-year franchises and which grants Philippine Depository Receipts (PDRs).

It was also found out that Marcoleta voted in favor of House Bill 78 amending the Public Service Act that would allow 100% foreign ownership in telecoms and other public services.

The abovementioned is truly contrary to Marcoleta’s stand on the issue of ABS-CBN franchise renewal.

But during the hearing, Marcoleta denied Navallo’s report.

“Mr. Chair hindi po ako ang may akda, at kung sakali naman po na nailagay ang pangalan ko ay dahil sa practice din dito, that somebody will move that, somebody will become co-authors of that bill,” Marcoleta insisted.

[Mr. Chair, I am not the author, if ever my name is part of the authors, it is because of the practice here, that if somebody move that, somebody will become co-authors of that bill]

Marcoleta also accused Navallo of being “biased” with his report, as he claimed that he was not able to clarify his side.

“Meron po silang reporter, na nakiusap sa akin makakuha ng clarification sa ibang issue, alam niyo po ba anong ginawa niya, ibinalita na po niya sa TV Patrol lahat ng gusto niya i-clarify, hindi niya po ako binigyan ng panahon,” he said.

[They have a reporter who asked me for clarification on the issues, do you know what he did? He reported in TV Patrol all of the clarifications he is asking for, he did not give me chance]

But, Navallo said that on Tuesday night he asked for Marcoleta’s side but he did not reply.

The next day, Navallo again asked for his opinion as the report will already be airing by evening. Marcoleta refused and tasked Navallo to organize a press conference the next day.

Navallo cannot conduct such per advice of his bosses, as it is against his job as a journalist. He informed Marcoleta to ask his staff to organize the presscon and invite the media.

During the hearing, Marcoleta claimed that the bosses did not allow Navallo to conduct the presscon.

NUJP reacted to Marcoleta’s actions and said that Navallo did not deserve to be bullied.

NUJP believes that if the report of Navallo is false, Marcoleta should file a formal complaint and not by bullying the reporter during the hearing.

They also believe that Marcoleta owes an apology not only to Navallo but also to Lopez, and ABS-CBN.

Netizens also shared their disappointment with Marcoleta and commends Navallo for his accountability.

https://twitter.com/nimarania/status/1269988385537454081

https://twitter.com/AyeeeAxel/status/1269945018027872257

https://twitter.com/joshuadalupang/status/1269941023968378880

https://twitter.com/vie_navs/status/1269945883136671744

https://twitter.com/kylegamboaa/status/1269942513093111808

https://twitter.com/frozenheart3112/status/1269944155456729089

https://twitter.com/Donkissfan18/status/1269949692273504258

Mike Navallo is a broadcast journalist of ABS-CBN and also a licensed attorney. He has covered President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, produced reports on drug raids and deaths of alleged drug users and pushers.

Written by Neil

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