Manicad says he did not accept bribes as a journalist

Former broadcast journalist Jiggy Manicad. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA, Philippines — Former broadcast journalist and now senatorial candidate Jiggy Manicad claimed on Tuesday that he did not accept bribes from politicians and companies when he was a journalist.

“Wala. Zero,”  Manicad said when asked in an interview over ABS CBN News Channel if there are politicians who could possibly reveal proof that he accepted bribes.

He explained that even though he was offered bribes, he turned them down to keep his integrity intact.

“‘Yun yung pinapangalagaan natin. Yung integrity as a journalist. Yung honesty natin sa trabaho [That is something that we should maintain. Our integrity being a journalist. Our honesty in our craft],” Manicad said.

Asked about his current assets, Manicad explained that he was the highest paid reporter from his previous media organization and he, together with his wife, owns a TV production company.

“Do not underestimate yung kinikita natin sa broadcast journalism. Kasi when I left GMA, I was the highest paid doon sa linya naming mga reporters [Do not underestimate what we are earning in broadcast journalism. Because when I left GMA, I was the highest paid in our line of reporters],” he explained.

“When I got married in 2008, we set up a company. A TV production company,” he added.

The former TV journalist also explained where he sourced his campaign funds: through contributions from friends, relatives and volunteers.

“My campaign is running purely on, well mga 80 percent, with the help  of volunteers… contributions from high school friends, contributions from relatives, volunteers,” Manicad said.

He explained that his campaign spending is very “strategic” with “minimal spending.”

Manicad then assured that his campaign spendings would be declared in his statement of election contributions and expenditures (SOCE).

“It’s very strategic, very minimal spending like gasolina, food,” he said.

“Of course, may honest-to-goodness fundraising yan and it would be really declared all sa SOCE. Idedeclare namin yan,” Manicad added.

The former TV journalist also said he won’t accept donations from big corporations so as not to be beholden to their possible future demands.

“Kung lalapit ako, kunwari si big corporation X, eh mahirap yun kasi beholden ka na agad eh [If I would approach for example big corporation X, that would be difficult because you are already beholden to them],” he said.

Manicad also said he would ask for the support of religious sectors including the Iglesia ni Cristo. /jpv

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