ABS-CBN 'fully supports' Korina amid 'pork' allegation

MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN on Monday announced that it "fully supports" news anchor Korina Sanchez as she faces allegations of receiving cash gifts from Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the pork barrel fund scam.

"Korina Sanchez has sufficiently denied receiving any gift of any form from Janet Napoles or any of her representatives. We in ABS-CBN believe that the allegation that came out in the Philippine Daily Inquirer was baseless and unsupported. The sworn statement of the person named to have allegedly brought the gift to Korina had also denied participation in this alleged gift-giving," the network said in a statement through its spokesperson, Bong Osorio.

According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer's report on May 18, Sanchez and GMA-7 broadcaster Mike Enriquez were included in the disbursement files of pork barrel scam whistle-blower Benhur Luy.

The complete statement reads: 

"The PDI story was based on only one source--an entry in the computer files of Benhur Luy which was turned over to the paper one year ago. The imputations on the journalists named are serious and damaging to reputations built over many years. We encourage all responsible journalists to verify this entry's accuracy by getting corroborating proof, a second source, and other supporting documents."

"ABS-CBN fully supports Korina Sanchez as our news organization remains committed to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethics in news reporting. In our coverage of the PDAF scam, our journalists are mindful of the need to present the truth fully and be accountable for our action," the statement ends.

The "TV Patrol" co-anchor earlier denied the cash gift allegations, saying she first met Napoles and her family for an interview in 2013, after news the pork barrel scam had broken out.

"I am astounded to learn that I was supposed to have received a birthday gift from her one time 10 years ago in 2004. This never happened. I did not receive any such gift, in cash or kind, from Ms. Napoles or her company nor through emissaries then and up to now," Korina said in her statement.

The broadcaster admitted that she knew Mon Arroyo as the ex-husband of a high school classmate.

"But I have not seen not heard of this person since he and my friend separated more than 10 years ago," she added. "But since his name is mentioned I have asked my friend to obtain from her long estranged husband a statement regarding hid alleged involvement in this matter."