Reporters slam Andanar for 'fake news' on bribes

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar accused reporters who covered the press conference of self-confessed Davao Death Squad (DDS) member Arthur Lascañas of receiving bribes.

In a television interview, Andanar claimed that some reporters received $1,000 for covering the media briefing held at the Senate.

"Meron na rin tayong natanggap na reports na as much as $1000 ang ipinamigay dito sa presscon na ito. Hindi ko na lang papangalan ang aking source pero meron daw pinagbibigyan ng ganitong kalaking halagang pera para ma-cover ito," Andanar said.

The Senate Press Corps, however, denied Andanar's claims and demanded a public apology from the Malacañang official.

The journalists covering the Senate called out Andanar for spreading "fake news" which is "truly unbecoming of someone who, just a few months ago, came from the media industry."

"We, broadcast, online, and print journalists covering the Senate strongly protest the unsubstantiated and irresponsible claims made by Press Secretary Martin Andanar that reporters were given as much as $1,000 each to cover the press conference of alleged former Davao Death Squad leader Arthur Lascañas this morning," the Senate reporters said in a statement.

The Senate reporters asked Andanar to prove his allegations and stressed that such practice is not tolerated among them.

Lascañas, who earlier denied the existence of the DDS, retracted his statement and claimed that such group existed during the term of President Rodrigo Duterte as Davao City mayor.

The self-confessed hitman, who worked as a cop, said that Duterte personally ordered them to execute killings of drug offenders.

In a separate statement, Andanar refused to acknowledge the accusations of Lascañas and said that the press conference on Monday morning was part of a "protracted political drama" against the president.

"Our people are aware that this character assassination is nothing but vicious orchestrated by sectors affected by the reforms initiated by the Duterte administration," Andanar said in a statement.