Vico Sotto alleges Discayas' interviews with Korina Sanchez, Julius Babao were paid; journalists deny claim
Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto called out veteran journalists who interviewed contractors entering politics, supposedly in exchange for millions of pesos, amid the hot topic of corruption in flood control projects.
In a Facebook post on Aug. 21, Sotto shared screenshots of Curlee and Sarah Discaya being interviewed by Korina Sanchez and Julius Babao in their respective programs. The Discayas are linked with companies that have projects with the Department of Public Works and Highways, including Alpha and Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corporation, St. Timothy Construction, and St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corporation. (Sarah also ran against Sotto in the midterm elections but lost by a landslide.)
In Babao's interview titled "EXCLUSIVE! ATE SARAH AT KUYA CURLEE, DATING MAHIRAP NA NAGING BILYONARYO!" posted on his Julius Babao UNPLUGGED 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.
"With these interviews again going viral, let’s look at it from a different angle," Sotto said. "Bago tanggapin ng mga kilalang journalists ang alok para mag-interview ng Contractor na Pumapasok sa Politika, hindi ba nila naisip na, 'Uy teka, ba’t kaya handa ’to magbigay ng 10 million* para lang magpa-interview sa akin??'"
In a footnote, Sotto noted that the P10 million is "not an exact figure," but told readers, "pero alam nyo na."
The mayor said he knows for a fact that there are "many good, honest people" in the media who are "disappointed, if not angered" at such practices "which undermine the integrity of their profession."
In the context of his post, while "maybe they didn’t do anything technically 'illegal,'" Sotto said at the very least it should be considered "shameful and violative of the spirit of their code of ethics."
"Puwede silang magtago sa grey areas: 'Hindi naman journalism ito… more of lifestyle lang… kailangan kasi ng sponsor…' pero ’wag na tayong maglokohan," he said.
"They rose to national prominence as broadcast journalists/news personalities; puhunan [dapat] nila ang kanilang reputasyon at kredibilidad," Sotto said without explicitly mentioning the names of Sanchez and Babao.
"[A]t sa ganitong kalakaran, ito rin ang reputasyon at kredibilidad na pinahihiram nila sa mga corrupt kapalit ng (dollar banknote emoji)," he added.
Sotto reminded the public that corruption is systemic, as it "permeates into every sector of society, not just government."
"But we can slowly but surely break this cycle if more and more of us consistently do our part, wherever we are and whatever are position may be, one step at a time," he added.
In the comments section, Sotto said he's not trying to make enemies, but opined that the issue must be talked about.
"Nagkataon malakas ako nung halalan pero kung sa iba nila ginawa to? Baka wala na. Anyway. Kayo na po ang bahala sa 'kin," he said.
'Slanderous,' 'constitutes cyber libel'
Hours after Sotto's post went viral, Sanchez's team, through a statement obtained by The Philippine STAR, decried his post, saying it's slanderous and constitutes cyber libel.
"The platforms Korina Interviews and Rated Korina both take pride in its standards in storytelling and production. Both shows are multi awarded by credible award giving bodies through the years," they said, adding Sanchez "has her esteemed place in the industry for very sturdy reasons."
They pointed out that subjects and topics for their shows are chosen based on public interest and a story to tell.
"[B]ashing or criticizing or slandering other personalities or businesses is strictly disallowed. Third, subjects simply tell their lifestory. This is no investigative piece," they said, adding that the shows have featured "many, many personalities," including politicians like Sotto's relatives Sen. Tito Sotto, cousins Quezon City Vice Mayor Gian Sotto and MTRCB Chief Lala Sotto.
"The same have been the content of several other magazine shows and interviews of many hosts from all the networks," they said.
Sanchez's team pointed out that in the case of the Discayas, their rags-to-riches story is "their story."
"While the feature in itself was never intended to be investigative but simply a success story, should there have been anything untrue about what they claimed after airing last year, it was and is up to the accuser to point this out," they said. "And we will air it if verified."
They also noted 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.
They claimed reaching out to Sotto "a few times" since his second term, while also informing his mother Coney Reyes about the Discayas interview, "but you had always declined requests for an interview."
"When this interview was conducted it was well before campaign period, aired in November 2024 and January 2025," they said.
Sanchez's team pointed out that there are payments for certain businesses (such as that of the Discayas), products, personalities, companies, or politicians akin to advertisements, which go to the network with an official receipt issued to the client.
But in the case of that particular interview with the Disacayas, they said, "There is no such thing as a P10 million placement for an interview."
"It is irresponsible to even say such, to say the least," they told Sotto. "As your malice is posted on Facebook and publicly besmirches the reputation of Ms. Sanchez, this clearly constitutes cyber libel. To insinuate that our show is irresponsible in that we only air what is paid for is slanderous."
"Who are we to presume our interviewees as evil with no basis or evidence long before they come into controversy?" they added.
The team also asked Sotto rhetorical questions like, "Are we also to presume you are guilty of overpricing the construction of government buildings just because your opponent thinks so?" and "Are we to automatically deduce you are grandstanding at the expense of others because this is your last term and are planning to run for higher office?"
"Only someone of inferior intellect and juvenile reasoning if not someone utterly deluded and un-Christian would publicly make such conclusions," they said.
They reminded Sotto that just because he won last elections, "this does not put you in a position of authority over editorial prerogative nor does it give you license to cast doubt against the integrity of seasoned journalists only because they interviewed your opponent (who did not say anything against you in said shows) and that you refuse to be interviewed."
Sanchez's team noted that the Discayas "are not allowed to use the interview video they are propagating and their attention shall be legally called on this matter." Their interviews with everyone who ran for office have also been taken down right after elections.
"We hope your issues have been clarified and we will be happy to entertain any more of your confusions," they added. "While we recognize free speech and the platforms with which we express opinions, there is also such a thing as thoughtful restraint that benefits truth and fairness. We all claim to be CHRISTIAN, after all."
The STAR has taken down its post containing the statement of Sanchez's team at the latter's behest. Her programs' publicist explained that what he originally sent to The STAR was "an unofficial draft" and that he will share an updated one soon.
'A lifestyle feature, not a news report'
For his part, Babao—speaking to entertainment news website PEP.ph—pointed out that his interview was a lifestyle feature and not a news report.
"Unang-una, ang interview na 'yan ay hindi isang news report. Ito ay lifestyle feature para sa YT channel ko na naglalabas ng mga inspiring success stories," he said. “At the time and month in 2024 when the interview was made, it was a profile feature of a couple who rose from rags to riches because of their different business ventures.”
He also denied that there's P10 million "involved" in the interview.
Babao pointed out that the vlog aimed to inspire people to become successful if they would work hard.
"Very interesting kasi ang rags-to-riches story nila," he said.
He also argued that at the time, there was no news yet of Sarah running for Pasig mayor. Moreover, the flood control project issue wasn't making waves yet at the time.
“Ang nais lang nila noon ay ma-share ang kanilang success story sa publiko,” he said.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., during his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28, firmly called 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.
