Members of the Senate media criticized Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on Thursday after he accused several journalists of being “paid hacks” during a hearing on alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
In a statement, Senate reporters condemned Marcoleta’s sweeping remark, calling it irresponsible and a reckless attack on the press, an institution essential to a functioning democracy.
They said the senator’s statement unfairly maligned media workers who face intimidation, harassment and even threats to their lives while informing the public and holding those in power accountable.
“At a time when disinformation and political polarization continue to undermine public discourse, government officials should exercise greater restraint and responsibility in their pronouncements,” the Senate media said.
The group stressed that journalists do not serve politicians, political parties or rival factions.
“The role of journalists is not to serve politicians, political parties or competing factions in the country’s endless political bodies,” they said.
They added that the media should not be used as a weapon in political rivalries or power struggles.
“Public officials such as Marcoleta, who make serious allegations against journalists, have a responsibility to present evidence instead of just relying on inflammatory rhetoric that undermines democratic institutions,” the group said.
During the hearing, Marcoleta accused some members of the media of bias, claiming they failed to question the previous Blue Ribbon Committee, then led by Sen. Panfilo Lacson, on why it did not invite certain resource persons in the flood control probe.
“On the record, kayo pong mga participants sa media, na karamihan po sa inyo ay bayaran, sasabihin ko na sa inyo ito. Meron po bang nagsalita sa kanila?” Marcoleta said.
He claimed the Sotto bloc wanted to stop the hearing and bury the issue because some of its members were allegedly mentioned by the 18 former Marines who testified.
Sen. Vicente Sotto III described the allegation as unfair.
Sen. JV Ejercito also defended Senate reporters, saying he was saddened by Marcoleta’s view of the media.
“Sa tagal ko sa Senado, ako ay magpapatunay na ang mga reporters at mainstream media na naka-assign sa Senado ay hindi bayaran,” Ejercito said.
After the hearing, Marcoleta clarified that his remarks came from “deep frustration” with some media organizations.
He said his frustration stemmed from newspaper reports on the Iglesia ni Cristo prayer rally in Rizal Park last January, where he claimed he delivered a 45-minute speech but was not mentioned.
“Ako yung nag-provide ng context na yun. So, I was in a better position to explain how the rule of law and due process are being violated,” Marcoleta said.
He said he was not accusing all media workers of being paid hacks and clarified that his frustration was directed only at two major newspapers.