Mike Navallo, a broadcast journalist of ABS-CBN, gained the support of his colleagues after being attacked by House Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta during the continuation of the House of Representatives hearing on ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.
News anchor Karen Davila defended Navallo as she tagged public officials as shameful for stooping to such low levels.
Grace under pressure @mikenavallo. Shame on public officials who go to such low levels. https://t.co/JKGKLTpnDM
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) June 8, 2020
Ces Oreña-Drilon also reiterated the stand of Navallo on not organizing a press conference with Marcoleta since it would be unethical for the latter to continue even if not allowed.
It is so easy to use your pulpit in the HOR to denounce @mikenavallo but was it true Rep Marcoleta? What he didn’t want to do was to organize a presscon for you. Because it is unethical. But he wanted to get your answers.
— Ces Oreña-Drilon (@cesdrilon) June 8, 2020
His fellow journalists Felipe Salvosa and Inday Varona stated how Marcoleta cannot oblige Navallo to withhold publication just because he wants to delay comment. And that public records are source documents, thus basing reports on such resources is what good reporters do.
Rep. Marcoleta cannot compel a journalist to withhold publication/airing because he wants to delay comment. Between the public record that @mikenavallo so ably dug up and Marcoleta’s weak denials, the former withstands scrutiny. The latter loses credibility. https://t.co/8dfyo5Ead8
— Felipe Salvosa II (@felipesalvosa) June 8, 2020
Public records are source documents. @mikenavallo did the “extra mile” work that good reporters do — get in touch w Marcoleta to try to understand why he moved from point a to point b (dual citizens owning a media firm) and c (no franchise for networks after a certain time)
— inday espina varona (@indayevarona) June 8, 2020
It would be too easy to speculate on what motives drive drastic changes in positions. Some reasons may be valid and instructional, thus the need to get context and nuance and process from key actors impt — which @mikenavallo tried to get.
— inday espina varona (@indayevarona) June 8, 2020
While others such as Bernadette Sembrano, Isay Reyes, Bianca Dava, and the rest of his colleagues expressed their admiration for Navallo’s confidence in standing his ground and citing facts.
@mikenavallo Saludo at paggalang sa yo . We are behind you .
— Bernadette Sembrano (@Bernadette_ABS) June 8, 2020
So proud of my colleague @mikenavallo! One of the toughest journalists of this generation! https://t.co/jZPErdQIEz
— Isay Reyes – Kang (@isay_reyes) June 9, 2020
I tweeted this just last February when @mikenavallo's lawyering chops were questioned, retweeting this after he showed that he really is no slouch in the reporting department either. https://t.co/dYwMZf5I53
— Ted Te (@TedTe) June 8, 2020
Atty. @mikenavallo. That’s it. That’s the tweet. 🙌🏼❤️💚💙
— Bianca Dava-Lee 🐱 (@biancadava) June 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/_gilanthony/status/1270017477418737669?s=20
Laban lang. Laban pa 🙂
— Buena Bernal (@BuenaCNA) June 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/carloshconde/status/1270138323453964288?s=20
He spoke calmly. Cited facts. Stood his ground. And opted to just let the people judge him, instead of promoting himself. That's our very own, Attorns @mikenavallo https://t.co/rdOKXy77Nx
— sherrie ann torres (@sherieanntorres) June 9, 2020
Yup, remember that name- Mike Navallo. He’s one of the best reporters we have.
— Gigi Grande (@Gigi_Grande) June 8, 2020
Keep at it Mike!!! Brilliant job, behind you all the way ❤💙💚
— Regine Cabato (@RegineCabato) June 9, 2020
On June 8, the House of Representatives ended the fourth hearing of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal still unresolved.
The discussion still focused on doubting the citizenship of ABS-CBN chairman emeritus Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III.
Also, Deputy Speaker Marcoleta took the time to complain against ABS-CBN reporter Mike Navallo for reporting a claim without confirming his side.
As he stated that ABS-CBN reporters should be “giving to others, fair, respectful and humble.”
He further explained that Navallo released his report earlier than the scheduled interview.
But according to Navallo, he received a reply from Marcoleta on the day of the report’s release, and the latter suggested Navallo organize a press conference instead. However, Navallo in reply clarified that they are not allowed to organize press conferences with politicians or government officials since it would not be ethical.
Marcoleta took issue with Navallo’s report that he authored bills granting franchises to companies operating for more than 50 years, something which the congressman insisted was illegal in ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal. Marcoleta also previously filed a bill to allow dual citizens to run for public office.
Meanwhile, The National Union of Journalists of the Philippine (NUJP) denounced Marcoleta for his wrongful accusation of Navallo.
[Statement] Navallo did not deserve to be bullied for the truth
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippine denounces Sagip Rep. Rodante Marcoleta for turning the House hearing on ABS-CBN's franchise on Monday, June 8,— pic.twitter.com/WHdHvwO2GO
— NUJP (@nujp) June 8, 2020
—into a platform for personal revenge to bully reporter Mike Navallo.
— NUJP (@nujp) June 8, 2020
NUJP added that Marcoleta is using the legislative hearing to attack Navallo since it has nothing to do with the matter at hand. And if the latter did any wrong the former should directly call the attention of the station and not use the hearing as a venue for his personal vendetta.
At the same time, we denounce the leadership of the House committees for allowing Marcoleta to use a legislative hearing to mount personal attacks against a journalist that had abosolutely nothing to do with the matter at hand.
— NUJP (@nujp) June 8, 2020
If, as Marcoleta claims, Navallo's report was wrong, the proper thing to do would be to call the attention of the station and file his complaint, not turn the halls of Congress into a bully pulpit to slake his personal vendetta.
— NUJP (@nujp) June 8, 2020
But as it turns out, not only did Marcoleta's actions belie his traditional title of "honorable," he was absolutely wrong about his accusations against Navallo. Contrary to Marcoleta's claims, Navallo's report was accurate and based on documentary evidence.
— NUJP (@nujp) June 8, 2020
In short, Marcoleta lied, making what transpired in the House session hall an embarassing display of misguided petulance.
— NUJP (@nujp) June 8, 2020
The union added that Marcoleta owes Navallo, Lopez, and ABS-CBN a public apology for his irresponsible accusations.
It is also utterly insidious of Marcoleta to conflate a reporter's alleged misdeed with how ABS-CBN and its chairman emeritus Gabby Lopez have supposedly failed to instill what the good congressman considers "Filipino values."
— NUJP (@nujp) June 8, 2020
Clearly, Marcoleta owes not only Navallo but Lopez and the ABS-CBN network who he unjustly maligned by his irresponsible accusations and fauly logic, a very public and, hopefully, sincere apology.
National Directorate
+639175155991— NUJP (@nujp) June 8, 2020
