Senator Erwin Tulfo announced on Friday that he might launch an inquiry into allegations of bribery involving members of the Senate media, cautioning that leaving the claims unresolved could damage the credibility of journalists assigned to the upper chamber.
Tulfo, the newly appointed chairperson of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee following Wednesday’s chamber reorganization, indicated that the matter could be addressed during the panel’s hearing on Monday.
This comes after Senator Rodante Marcoleta accused several media members of being “bayaran” or paid hacks.
Marcoleta—who previously admitted to accepting undeclared campaign contributions in his election spending reports—subsequently apologized, clarifying that his remarks were not directed at the Senate press corps.
“I will ask one of our colleagues, ‘Is this true that what I heard, our press corps here, our Senate media is corrupt? Naba-bribe? Totoo ba ito? Can you tell us?’ Para kung ganoon, I can write the different media outfits, na palitan itong mga ito kung mga corrupt pala ito,” Tulfo said in a television interview.
The lawmaker expressed his desire for both the accusers and the Senate reporters to present their sides to clear the air.
The issue escalated during Thursday’s highly contested hearing on the flood control controversy, which was led by senators allied with embattled Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano. During that session, Marcoleta alleged that journalists purposely avoided asking specific questions because they were receiving payoffs.
The accusations triggered swift condemnation from the Senate press corps and various media organizations, which blasted the remarks as an irresponsible assault on press freedom and demanded proof.
Tulfo, who built his career as a broadcast journalist, stressed that corruption allegations against the press should never be tossed around lightly, especially when they tarnish the reputation of the entire industry.
“Kasi mahirap yung i-charge mo, accuse mo yung media. Galing din ako sa media,” he said.
He emphasized that any claims of media bribery must be backed by concrete proof rather than mere speculation or political rhetoric.
Furthermore, the senator cast doubt on Marcoleta’s claim that certain news stories were being suppressed by reporters who were allegedly paid to look the other way.