ABS-CBN network created its own mess and some of its new anchors are not helping the case with their alleged bias against the government, according to Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo.
(PCOO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Panelo faulted not only the network owners for alleged violations of law but also the news anchors for showing alleged anti-administration bias in their reporting.
“'Yung mga anchors ng ABS-CBN, marami sa inyo, sa halip na makatulong kayo ay talagang mayayamot kasi 'yung mga pahayag ninyo ay palaging taliwas sa katotohanan (Many of the anchors of ABS-CBN, instead of helping, are deemed annoying because your pronouncements are always contrary to the truth)," he said over Counterpoint program Friday.
Panelo singled out Noli de Castro, Peter Musngi, and Christian Esguerra as among the network anchors critical of the administration. He said they should instead emulate broadcaster Ted Failon, host of TV Patrol and Failon Ngayon on DZMM, for his "suave" reporting.
"Itong rin si Noli kaibigan natin pero madami rin hindi magaganda, may mga negatibong istiulo. Pati si PNoy, harap harapan, binantaan siya. Sa tingin ko, kailangan hinay-hinay lang kayo (Noli is a friend but he has many not so good, or negative style. Even PNoy (President Aquino) directly criticized him. I think, you should slow down)," he said.
On Esguerra, Panelo questioned how the former print journalist conducts his interviews, alleging he often focused on negative reports about the administration. He told Esguerra to change his "style."
“Gaya ni Christian Esguerra. Batang-bata pero kapag ito nagiinterview, unang-unang palaging anti-administrasyon. Bihirang-bihira ‘yung administrasyon. Pagkatapos, fini-feed niya pa sa bibig ng mga iniinterview niya ‘yung gusto niyang ilabas na negatibo sa administrasyon. Ayan. Hoy, Christian, baguhin mo na istilo mo (Like Christian Esguerra, he's young but when he conducts interviews, he interviews those anti-administration, seldom from the administration. Also, he feeds to the person being interviewed the negative report he wants about the administration. Hey Christian, change your style)," he said.
Panelo criticized Musngi, known as the voice of ABS-CBN and a DZMM program anchor, telling him "hindi ka nakakatulong (You are not helping)."
“Gayahin mo si Ted Failon, medyo suwabeng dumiskarte (You should emulate Ted Failon who is suave in his style)," he added.