Korina’s shows hit back at Vico Sotto over paid interview claims, constitutes as ‘cyber libel’

Adi Joaquim Tolentino

The programs “Rated Korina” and “Korina Interviews” issued an official statement on August 22 slamming Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto’s Facebook post alleging that interviews with contractors and politicians were paid placements.

Sotto’s post on Thursday shared screenshots of past interviews by Korina Sanchez and Julius Babao featuring contractor Curlee Discaya and his wife, former Pasig mayoral candidate Sarah Discaya.

The camp of Sanchez branded the insinuations “slanderous,” stressing that the veteran journalist and her programs uphold credibility in storytelling and production.

“To insinuate that our show is irresponsible in that we only air what is paid for is slanderous,” the statement read.

The shows defended their editorial standards, saying that features are chosen based on public interest and human-interest narratives rather than investigations.

“In the case of the Sara and Curlee Discaya interview, their rags to riches story is their story,” the statement said.

The programs admitted that some episodes involve paid placements but clarified these are processed officially through the network and not in the amount alleged by Sotto.

“Yes, Mayor Sotto, there are payments for certain businesses such as that of the Discayas, products, personalities, companies or politicians much like payments made for advertisements — and these go to the network with an official receipt issued to the client,” the statement noted.

“There is no such thing as a P10 million placement for an interview. It is irresponsible to even say such, to say the least. As your malice is posted on Facebook and publicly besmirches the reputation of Ms. Sanchez, this clearly constitutes cyber libel,” it added.

The camp also pointed out that Sanchez only learned she was interviewing a Pasig mayoral candidate on the day of the taping, and that the Discayas are not authorized to reuse the interview for political purposes.

The statement further criticized Sotto’s remarks, warning against casting doubt on the integrity of journalists for interviewing his political opponents.

“Only someone of inferior intellect and juvenile reasoning if not someone utterly deluded and un-Christian would publicly make such conclusions,” the statement said.

Sanchez’s team said they had repeatedly requested to feature Sotto in their programs, even reaching out through his mother, actress Coney Reyes, but were declined.

They emphasized that all interviews with political candidates have since been taken down from their official sites after the elections.

“We hope your issues have been clarified and we will be happy to entertain any more of your confusions,” the statement concluded.

Sanchez is expected to release a separate statement.