Senator Rodante Marcoleta apologized to members of the media after referring to journalists as “paid hacks,” saying the remark stemmed from frustration and was not intended to attack the press.
“I did not mean it. Ito po ay dahil sa frustration ko sa nangyari at sa nangyayari ko pong nakikita ko. Ang gusto ko po, makatulong kayong lahat para yung katotohanan. Ang katotohanan lang po ang importante rito eh. Wala na pong iba,” Marcoleta said.
The senator explained that his remarks were driven by what he described as delays in the investigation into flood control projects and by media coverage of the Iglesia ni Cristo’s “National Rally for Peace” in January 2025, where he claimed his participation was omitted.
Marcoleta said two newspaper reports written by a total of 11 reporters failed to identify him as one of the four speakers during the rally.
His apology came after Senate reporters denounced the “paid hacks” comment, calling it an irresponsible and reckless attack against journalists.
The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) also raised concerns over the statement, warning that sweeping accusations against the media could undermine public trust and place journalists at risk.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) likewise condemned Marcoleta’s remarks, saying they were attempts to erode confidence in the press amid coverage of the growing political divide between rival camps.
“Journalists ferret out the truth and convey it to the public. This includes asking questions to whoever needs to be held accountable. Our colleagues in the Senate have been doing exactly what they ought to do,” the NUJP said in a statement.
The group added that portraying journalists as partisan distracts the public from issues that deserve scrutiny.
“Allegations of corruption hurled against either side must be investigated fully. Journalism’s loyalty is to the people, not to any partisan group with vested interests,” it said.
Senator JV Ejercito also defended members of the media covering the Senate, expressing disappointment over the accusations.
“It’s sad to accuse the mainstream media of being paid,” Ejercito said in Filipino.
