Korina on 'cash gift' allegations: 'Nakapagtataka na binigyan ng importansya'

MANILA, Philippines – ABS-CBN news anchor Korina Sanchez said she is deeply saddened by the allegations linking her to alleged Priority Development Assistance Fund scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.

According to a Philippine Daily Inquirer report published Sunday, May 8, Sanchez and GMA-7 news anchor Mike Enriquez were included in the disbursement records of PDAF scam whistle-blower Benhur Luy. The report further stated that Enriquez and Sanchez were given a P50,000 “birthday gift” but was received by Mon Arroyo, a former TV director, in their behalf.

Sanchez denied the allegations in a statement sent to the press. ABS-CBN also issued a statement  to express their support for the “TV Patrol” co-anchor.

“I'm very sad about that, na isang bagay na I am quite passionate about, anti-corruption in media, and all my friends know that. Ako ang una at maaaring tanging very vocal about issues like that. Kaya nalulungkot ako masyado na ako pa yung nabandera d'yan,” she said at the sidelines of the press conference for ABS-CBN and Japan television network NHK's co-production venture.

Sanchez added, “Ang nakakalungkot lang kasi doon, habang ang mga hinalal na opisyal, kapag sila ay pinagusapang ganyan, meron silang proseso na pwede nilang patunayan talaga na ikaw nagkamali ka o inosente ka. 

“Sa panig ng mga pribadong mga tao, wala ganung proseso, so natutuwa ako sa ABS-CBN at syempre sa nakakaalam na walang basehan ang storya, napakababaw, walang mga pirma, nakapagtataka na binigyan ng importansya.”

“Kung ako ang tatanungin, hindi dapat yan nangyari at sana hindi na mangyari ulit sa iba.”

Enriquez has also denied receiving cash gifts or bribe from anyone, saying it is against the standards of his network, GMA-7.

“Labag 'yan sa standards ng GMA. At 'pag nagbigay ka ng ganyang halaga sa isang taga-media, hindi regalo 'yan. Suhol 'yan, kahit paano mo balik-baliktarin” he said in a television interview.

Korina faced the press to promote ABS-CBN's co-production venture with NHK. “Rated K,” the news magazine program by Korina, will air a feature based on NHK's program segment “Happy Surprise” on Sunday, May 25.

The said segment, which will also air on NHK, will feature a Filipino mother whose Filipino-Japanese sumo wrestler son stages a surprise flash mob for her.  

“Every story of a Filipino abroad is dramatic.” Sanchez said. “ Their story will never grow old kasi puso 'yan, bituka 'yan ng kapwa Pilipino na alam naman nating lahat kung ano yung nararamdaman. Every story will be just as important as the other.”