Nancy Binay says solons’ ‘hugot’ should be set aside in ABS-CBN hearings

MANILA, Philippines — After several congressmen griped about ABS-CBN’s previous news reports and accused the network of “biased” reporting, Senator Nancy Binay said “personal viewpoints” should be set aside because “issues that we need to address should never be about us.”

On Monday, the House committees on legislative franchises and good government and public accountability tackled the broadcast company’s alleged “political bias.”

For its part, ABS-CBN said the network strives “to keep biases in check, and to report on newsworthy events, persons and issues in an accurate, fair and balanced manner.”

“Kung mga hugot at hinanakit lang naman about negative stories ang pag-uusapan tungkol sa network, winner at topnotcher na ang pamilya namin. What kept us grounded is that we knew what was true, legit and factual versus the yarn of lies against our family,” Binay said in a message to reporters on Tuesday.

(If we’re talking about “hugot” or and hard feelings about negative stories of the network, my family would be the winner and topnotcher. What kept us grounded is that we knew what was true, legit and factual versus the yarn of lies against our family.)

“Despite the treatment we received, I always believe freedom to information and access to information are the bigger pictures in a democratic space,” she added.

The senator said she accepted the fact that once a public official is elected into office, they would be subjected to scrutiny.

“But whether you’re in media or politics, what’s important is to transcend beyond personal biases and take to heart your commitment and responsibility to people and country,” she said.

“We have to set aside personal viewpoints because issues that we need to address should never be about us–it should always be for the greater good of every Filipino,” Binay added.

Binay had earlier shared her belief that ABS-CBN did not fairly treat her family in its coverage.

Despite this, the senator said she would vote for the renewal of the network’s franchise because “it’s not about me,” adding that freedom of information and access to information are more important.

Her father, former Vice President Jejomar Binay, had also maintained his support for the network, saying that  freedom of the press is the “basic foundation of democracy.”

A day after its franchise expired on May 4, ABS-CBN was forced off the air on May 5 after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ordered the shutdown of its radio and television broadcast operations nationwide.

Nearly two months after, the NTC issued separate cease-and-desist orders to stop the operations of ABS-CBN’s digital and satellite platforms. [ac]