TV5 reporter JC Cosicoend up being bashed after he interviewed Jessica Fosano, the bereaved daughter of Rolando Dela Cruz.
The latter arrived dead at Eat Avenue Medical Center yesterday morning, April 23, from a community pantry in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City, organized by Kapamilya star, Angel Locsin.
Netizens got furious at how Cosico framed his question to Fosano as if the tone of questioning is blaming the actress for what happened.
“Si Angel Locsin wala ba siyang kasalanan dito?” inquired Cosico.
The 67-year-old Dela Cruz went to Angel Locsin’s birthday-cum-community that same day. He waited in line as early as 3 a.m., fainted, and immediately rushed to the hospital.
This tragedy shocked Locsin, who celebrated her 36th birthday through a food bank event. On her social media accounts, she blamed herself for the passing of an old man.
WATCH | “Sana hindi na lang siya pumila.”
Jennifer Fosano mourns the death of her father, 67-year old Rolando Dela Cruz, who passed out while waiting in line at a community pantry hosted by actress Angel Locsin in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City. (1/2) @News5PH @onenewsph pic.twitter.com/ykJ4Go7l32
— JC Cosico (@JCCosico) April 23, 2021
A Netizen pointed out that the journalist is trying to pin Locsin for what happened. He reminded reporters to be responsible when conducting interviews.
Bakit parang dinidiin ng reporter si Angel Locsin? Ayusin nyo naman pagbabalita niyo! Naku naman! Wala na bang matinong reportet from GMA and TV5????
— JRex (@johnrexbaltazar) April 23, 2021
Another Netizen berated Cosino for throwing an insensitive question. He reminded the journalist to think about the questions before asking them.
https://twitter.com/ItsJoe03/status/1385576335754493953
With the recent criticism from GMA Network reporter Tina Panganiban-Perez, a Netizen pointed out that Cosico did not learn anything from his fellow reporter’s “mistake.”
"si Angel Locsin wala ba siyang kasalanan dito???"
Wala bang natutunan mga journo this week???
— ribsrep (@ribsrep) April 23, 2021
However, not everyone is against the TV5 reporter. A Netizen defended Cosico as she pointed that it was a mistake due to a lack of time to prepare.
https://twitter.com/ayoqnasaerth/status/1385619726764675080
A Netizen supported the reporter’s line of questioning and even stressed the root cause of the tragedy—the lack of discipline.
See. Alam nila talaga na tao ang walang disiplina. Hindi kasalanan ni Ms. Angel.. Walang may gusto mangyari.. Wala lang talaga disiplina
— mina bagabaldo (@mina_yatot) April 23, 2021
With all the criticism that the journalist received, a Netizen rephrased the question to be less offensive.
"May gusto po ba kayong iparating na mensahe kay Miss Angel Locsin?"
Ganyan dapat.
— Harper (@Harperblammo) April 23, 2021
Journalists have the freedom to hit hard questions. But according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), who released a statement after Tina Panganiban-Perez’s incident.
However, the union also reminded journalists to be tactful; and be sensitive in asking such questions as a sign of respect.
STATEMENT | Journalists should strive to do no harm pic.twitter.com/51KElX9yjd
— NUJP (@nujp) April 21, 2021
Meanwhile, the reporter who got bashed by Netizens apologized for his mistake.
Cosico explained that he had no intention of blaming the actress-philanthropist Locsin for the incident. He also accepted the fact that he could have constructed his question better.
Hi, guys! I read your comments and after much thought, I sincerely apologize for having asked my question that way. I had no intention of blaming Ms. Angel Locsin and I understand that I could've phrased my question better. Trust that I will do better next time. Salamat po! 🙏🏻
— JC Cosico (@JCCosico) April 23, 2021
