Tovic Salvador

Interviews with Discayas not just about media ethics - journalism prof

Article (news)

David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — A journalism professor has chimed in on the controversy over the interviews of broadcasters Julius Babao and Korina Sanchez with Sarah and Curlee Discaya, 2 government contractors who cornered P31.5 billion in flood control projects.Atty. Marichu Lambino, assistant professor at the UP College of Media and Communications, said Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto’s statement that the Discayas <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/22/broadcasters-deny-vico-sotto-claim-they-were-paid-p10m-to-interview-discayas-1724">offered P10 million for interviews</a> is a concern for journalists who may have accepted the money.“Inamin ni Discaya  sa kanyang interview with Julius Babao na galing sa DPWH yung kanyang bilyo-bilyones na kinita. Public funds po ito. Hindi lang ito issue ng media ethics. May issue po na nagkamal ng public funds,” she said, noting that in Babao’s interview, the Discayas admitted owning 40 luxury cars.President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said he would summon St. Timothy Construction — the contractor that won billions of pesos in government projects — to explain why a flood control structure in Bulacan remained incomplete and substandard over 2 years since its expected completion date.Lambino said contractors could face plunder charges if it is true that 30 percent of the funds went to their pockets.Journalists who were paid for interviews with government contractors could become accessories if proven they accepted money earned via corrupt means, she said.“Maging maingat po tayo lalo na kung ang ini-interview natin ay contractor…Maaari kayong masabit sa kaso ng plunder o pandarambong,” she said. She also urged the government to issue a watchlist order amid reports that big-time government contractors are fleeing the country.

A journalism professor has chimed in on the controversy over the interviews of broadcasters Julius Babao and Korina Sanchez with Sarah and Curlee Discaya, 2 government contractors who cornered P31.5 billion in flood control projects.

A journalism professor has chimed in on the controversy over the interviews of broadcasters Julius Babao and Korina Sanchez with Sarah and Curlee Discaya, 2 government contractors who cornered P31.5 billion in flood control projects.