Journalists React to Mayor Vico Sotto’s Allegations of Paid Interviews

In a recent social media post, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto sparked controversy by insinuating that some journalists are paid to conduct interviews with political candidates, particularly pointing to the camp of 2025 midterm election aspirant Sarah Descaya. Although Mayor Vico did not directly name anyone, he attached screenshots featuring veteran broadcast journalist Corina Sanchez alongside the Descaya couple during her interviews on programs like Rated Corina and Corina Interviews—suggesting these interviews involved payments.

Corina Sanchez’s Team Responds

Corina Sanchez’s team was quick to issue a response, clarifying the baselessness of the allegations. Two versions of official statements were released:

The first statement admitted it was hastily written and emotional but emphasized that any advertising placements during her shows were handled through the network with proper receipts. They firmly denied Mayor Vico’s claim that an interview placement cost Php 10 million.

The second, more polished statement condemned the accusations as malicious and damaging to Corina’s decades-long reputation as a respected journalist. They described the mayor’s allegations as unfair and unprofessional.

In response to the online backlash, Corina herself addressed comments on social media, stating, “My producers have issued what I think to be an irreputable response. But trolls will be trolls, and the guilty will be defensive, and I’m not guilty of anything wrong.”

Currently, Corina is in Hong Kong filming episodes of Face to Face with overseas Filipino workers. Despite the controversy, she appears unfazed and was seen enjoying her time at Disneyland, humorously calling it the “Php 10 million palace”—a joke she quickly clarified.

Her team is reportedly considering filing a cyber libel case against Mayor Vico for his damaging statements.

Julius Babao’s Take on the Allegations

Julius Babao, another respected broadcast journalist and colleague of Corina, also spoke out about the bribery allegations.

In his recent interview with Sarah and Curly Descaya, Babao shared the couple’s life story and business successes, including their dealings with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Sarah openly admitted that government contracts helped improve their livelihood significantly.

Babao denied any knowledge of payments made to him or that he received Php 10 million for conducting the interview. He explained that he was unaware of the Descayas’ political plans at the time of the interview, and no controversy regarding their projects existed then.

Currently on leave from his prime news program Frontline Pilipinas on TV5, Babao shared a cryptic quote on Instagram: “A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” In a recent interview, he reaffirmed that he has never accepted bribes, mentioning typical prices offered to journalists are much lower, around Php 30,000 to Php 100,000. He stressed that his professional integrity is well-known in the industry and that he does not accept any form of bribery.

Arnold Clavio’s Defense of Fellow Journalists

Although Arnold Clavio was not named in Mayor Vico’s allegations, he felt compelled to defend his colleagues and the profession.

In an Instagram post, Clavio criticized Mayor Vico for accusing journalists like Julius Babao and Corina Sanchez of accepting Php 10 million payments. He said such accusations harm not only the reporters involved but also the entire journalism industry.

Clavio called the mayor’s claims “baseless” and “unfair,” emphasizing that his defense was not just for the two journalists but to protect the credibility of all media practitioners who serve the public by delivering accurate information.

He ended his post with a warning to Mayor Vico, urging him to refrain from meddling in a volatile political climate for personal interests, reminding everyone that democracy allows all voices to be heard.

Diego Castro Joins the Conversation

Diego Castro, former actor and son of veteran broadcasters Angelo Castro Jr. and June Keithley, also shared his thoughts on the matter via Facebook.

He urged critics to first verify facts before making accusations. He pointed out the hard work journalists put into gathering, verifying, and sharing important news for the public.

Castro acknowledged that while there may be a few “bad apples” in any profession, it is unjust to brand the entire field of journalism as corrupt. He called for fairness and respect for those who work honestly and earn their wages through hard work.

Karen Davila’s Past Experiences Highlighted

The controversy also led netizens to revisit veteran journalist Karen Davila’s past statements about bribery in media.

In a 2021 vlog guesting with OG Diaz, Karen shared that she had been offered bribes many times, especially during her early career in radio. However, she firmly refused every offer, stating, “I have never taken a single centavo in my life because I didn’t want to cheapen my profession.”

Karen acknowledged how painful it is to be accused of accepting bribes but expressed confidence that both God and her employers know the truth.

Her testimony remains a powerful reminder of the integrity some journalists maintain despite systemic pressures.

Public Reactions and What This Means

The recent statements by Mayor Vico Sotto accusing journalists of being paid large sums for interviews have ignited a storm of backlash, particularly from those in the media industry. Veteran journalists, their teams, and supporters have all denied the allegations, stressing the importance of protecting journalistic integrity and reputation.

While Mayor Vico’s comments raise concerns about media practices, many believe such sweeping accusations without clear evidence risk damaging public trust in the press and distracting from the real political and social issues at hand.

As the situation unfolds, some media teams consider legal action to clear their names, while journalists continue to face the difficult task of reporting on politically charged issues without being accused of bias or corruption.

Your Thoughts?

What do you think about the allegations raised by Mayor Vico Sotto? Do you believe journalists should be scrutinized for possible payments during interviews, or are these claims an attack on press freedom and credibility? How important is journalistic integrity to you as a news consumer?

Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments below!