Korina Sanchez's show producers release 'official statement,' reiterate Vico Sotto's post on 'paid' interviews constitutes cyber libel

The revised statement on Friday, Aug. 22, this time signed by Sanchez's executive producers Ferdie Dugay (Rated Korina) and Catherine Torres Lulu (Korina Interviews), did away with a lengthy narrative that included terms like "inferior intellect," “juvenile reasoning," and "utterly deluded"; references to "un-Christian" behavior, "evil," and other morality concerns; and rhetorical questions against Sotto's character and political ambitions. It also included Filipino lines to emphasize certain points while sounding conversational—even as it deleted certain parts that specify the time period.

Dugay and Lulu reiterated that "There is no such thing as a P10 million placement for an interview" with Curlee and Sarah. They, however, deleted the part where they said that "there are payments for certain businesses such as that of the Discayas, products, personalities, companies, or politicians much like payments made for advertisements," which "go to the network with an official receipt issued to the client."

In the new statement, the EPs pointed out that "all content aired is transparent and meets the strict standards of the airing stations and is approved by the station management."

From previously arguing that the interview was "no investigative piece," they pointed out that they "don't do" 'hit' pieces, as well as "Puff" or "vanity" pieces.

"[S]ubjects simply tell their life story," they said. "Their rags-to-riches life story is their story to tell. It was aired walang dagdag at walang bawas."

"Should there have been anything untrue about what they claimed, it was and is up to the accuser to point this out," they said, adding that they also reached out to Sotto's mother, Coney Reyes, about the feature story on the Discayas "but you had always declined requests for an interview."

They also pointed out that in the case of the Discayas interview, "pinaguusapan sila. Their sudden prominence in the public eye makes for public interest. We do not presume our interviewees as evil nor as angels."

Reiterating that they have guested Sotto's relatives—Sen. Tito Sotto, and cousins Quezon City Vice Mayor Gian Sotto and MTRCB Chief Lala Sotto—they also mentioned Pasig Vice Mayor, Dodot Jaworski, as a former subject in the program.

"It is the same for several other magazine shows and interviews of many hosts from all the networks," they said.

The new statement, however, deleted the part stating that Sanchez "only found out she was interviewing a Pasig mayoralty candidate on the day itself," and that she wasn't in contact with the Discayas for the interview. It also omitted details as to when the interview was conducted, which, according to the original statement, was "well before campaign period, aired in November 2024 and January 2025."

Sanchez's EPs reiterated that she has "an esteemed place in the industry for very sturdy reasons," and that her shows "both take pride in its standards in storytelling and production" and are "multi-awarded by credible award-giving bodies over the years."

In the new statement, Sanchez's EPs pointed out that the Discayas "are not allowed to use this interview video for other purposes because it is the company and the network property."

"This interview was conducted and aired well before the campaign period. All interviews of those who ran for office were also taken down from our official sites," they said.

Previously, they noted that the Discayas "are not allowed to use the interview video," and that the videos were taken down, particularly "right after elections."

They also dropped using the words "slander" and "slanderous," instead simply reminding Sotto that, "Malicious insinuations posted on Facebook, and which publicly besmirches the reputation of our shows or Ms. Sanchez, clearly constitute cyber libel."

"While we fully respect freedom of speech and opinion and the platforms in which these are aired and posted, there is such a thing as thoughtful restraint, which benefits truth and fairness," they added. "We hope your issues have been clarified, and we will be happy to entertain any more of your questions. With due respect to your office[.]"

Babao, for his part, pointed out that his interview was a lifestyle feature and not a news report.

Discaya interviews

In Babao's interview titled "EXCLUSIVE! ATE SARAH AT KUYA CURLEE, DATING MAHIRAP NA NAGING BILYONARYO!" posted on his YouTube channel on Sept. 17, 2024, he asked the Discayas, "Ano yung naging gateway para gumanda ang buhay ninyo," and they responded, "Noong nag-DPWH kami."

In Sanchez's interview, which can no longer be found on official channels, she can be seen in front of the Discayas' car collection.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., during his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28, firmly calling out government officials who allegedly commit corruption, particularly in flood control projects, in light of the recent heavy rains and flooding.

Last Aug. 11, Marcos shared a list of the top DPWH contractors with the most flood control projects, which included the Discayas' companies.

Sotto, talking about the president's move, took a swipe at the Discayas and detailed the "6 stages of corruption" in such projects.