Senator Marcoleta apologizes for calling journalists 'paid hacks'

Senator Rodante Marcoleta on Thursday issued an apology to members of the press after he referred to them as “paid hacks,” saying he did not intend to characterize journalists that way.

“I apologize for the way I spoke. I did not mean it,” Marcoleta said in Filipino during a press briefing.

He explained that the remark came out of frustration over recent developments he has been observing.

“This is because of my frustration over what happened and what I see happening,” he said in Filipino.

Marcoleta said his comments were linked to what he described as delays in the ongoing flood control investigation, as well as his grievance over media coverage of the Iglesia ni Cristo National Rally for Peace, where he claimed he was not properly identified despite being one of the speakers.

He noted that two newspaper reports, authored collectively by 11 journalists, allegedly failed to mention his participation.

“I spoke for about 45 minutes in that rally,” he said in Filipino.

“When the Philippine Star reported on that incident, eight reporters worked on a single report. On the other hand, three reporters from the Philippine Daily Inquirer worked together on the same story. So 11 reporters heard it, yet my name was not even mentioned,” he added.

“How come 11 reporters did not see me or hear me as though I did not exist?” he asked.

Senator JV Ejercito defended journalists assigned to cover the Senate, pushing back against the criticism.

“It’s sad to accuse the mainstream media of being paid,” Ejercito said in Filipino.

“During my time in the Senate, I will ensure that reporters and mainstream media assigned to the Senate are not paid hacks,” he added.

Meanwhile, members of the Senate press corps issued a strong statement condemning Marcoleta’s remarks. They said his accusation that journalists are “bayaran,” or paid hacks, was an irresponsible attack on the media.

They described the remarks as a “reckless attack on an institution widely acknowledged as essential to any functioning democracy.”

The media group said the comments risk undermining public trust in journalism and contribute to hostility against reporters.

“Criticism of media coverage is fair and even healthy in a democratic society. But there is a profound difference between constructive criticism and the wholesale vilification of an entire profession,” the Senate media said.

They added that public officials making accusations against journalists should provide evidence rather than rely on inflammatory language that weakens democratic institutions.

“Public officials such as Marcoleta, who make serious allegations against journalists, have a responsibility to present evidence instead of relying on inflammatory rhetoric that undermines democratic institutions,” they added, stressing this responsibility amid rising disinformation and political polarization.

The press corps also emphasized that journalists are not aligned with any political faction and remain committed to reporting truthfully for the public interest.

“The reporters reminded Marcoleta that the press is not the enemy of any political faction, as its allegiance remains solely to the truth and the public.”

They warned that attempts to label the media as partisan simply because of unfavorable coverage are “unfair and dangerous.”

“The Fourth Estate exists to serve the public interest. Its duty is to pursue facts, verify information, question those in power, and report developments without fear or favor,” they said.

“That mission becomes even more critical during periods of intense political conflict,” they added.

They further stressed that a free press can only function properly if it is protected from pressure, intimidation, or interference from any political actor.

-Paraluman News