MANILA, Philippines – Local netizens are currently abuzz over rumors that ABS-CBN news anchor Korina Sanchez was suspended by the Kapamilya network’s management over her comments against CNN’s Anderson Cooper.
READ: Korina Sanchez reacts to Anderson Cooper’s 'mali-mali' report
It can be recalled that Korina made on a comment on her dzMM radio program last week about the “mali-mali†reports of a “blonde reporter†from CNN in his post-typhoon Yolanda coverage in Tacloban, Leyte. Korina didn’t specify who the reporter was, although many speculated it to be Cooper.
The CNN anchor, for his part, urged Korina to visit Tacloban during the broadcast of his program “Anderson Cooper 360.†“I don’t know if she has but her husband’s the interior minister. I’m sure he can arrange a flight,†Cooper said, referring to Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II.
READ: CNN's Anderson Cooper tells Korina: Go to Tacloban
Pilipino Star Ngayon showbiz editor Salve Asis first broke the news about Korina’s alleged suspension. According to her column, Korina will be gone from the primetime news program “TV Patrol,†which she co-hosts with Noli De Castro and Ted Failon, for a week.
The “press release,†Asis said, would be that Korina is on vacation. “Pero may duda silang pinagbakasyon ang misis ni Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas dahil sa epekto ng mga banat sa pagkontra ni Ms. Korina sa report ng American journalist na si Anderson Copper sa CNN,†she wrote. As of this writing, Asis’ Pilipino Star Ngayon already has more than 10,000 shares on Facebook
Korina was absent during the broadcast of "TV Patrol" last Friday.
Philstar.com asked ABS-CBN for a statement regarding the alleged suspension, but the network remains mum on the issue as of the moment.
“We will let you know if and when we have a statement issued,†ABS-CBN corporate affairs and PR director Kane Choa said.
Showbiz news site Philippine Entertainment Portal reports that according to their source, Korina is on vacation and not suspended.
Reactions online from netizens on social media are varied. Some believe the suspension, if true, is warranted. Others say the suspension is merely a rumor.
Korina Sanchez only got suspended for 1 week? Shouldve been longer but whatever lol
— Kathleen G. Sy (@kathgsy) November 17, 2013
omg lol korina sanchez is suspended, anyare naman kay arnold clavio
— mikhaella (@mastersunggyu) November 17, 2013
The 'Korina Sanchez Suspension' is not true. FYI.
— Mykapalaran (@mykapalaran) November 17, 2013