Palace urges media men to shed light on 'pork' payoffs

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Friday asked members of the media to share whatever knowledge they have regarding the alleged payoffs received by broadcast journalists from agencies embroiled in the pork barrel scam.

"We would encourage you, if you know anything, to help government in fighting corruption and shed light on whatever you know," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a televised press briefing.

Lacierda also said his message is directed not just to media practitioners, but to everyone who has knowledge of any of the controversies.

It was reported earlier this week that checks from a bank account of the state-owned National Agribusiness Corp. (Nabcor) were issued to prominent television and radio broadcasters Erwin Tulfo of TV5 and dzBB's Carmelo del Prado Magdurulang.

Nabcor was supposedly one of the implementing government agencies that were used as conduits in the diversion of lawmakers' pork barrel funds to the fake non-government organizations of alleged scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles.

According to reports, the checks issued by Nabcor to the broadcasters were for "advertising expenses."

Tulfo denied knowing of the check allegedly issued to him. Meanwhile, the networks of the broadcast journalists said they will conduct their respective internal inquiries.

Asked if the alleged pork barrel payoffs should spark discussions on media corruption, Lacierda said these should start among journalists themselves.

"Rather than having that conversation in government, perhaps the conversation should take place within media itself," Lacierda said.

He added that the government will only act if it has reliable information.

"Gives us more something definite than the kwentong kutchero for the [Department of Justice] to investigate," Lacierda said.

The Palace official also assured the government's campaign against corruption applies to all, regardless of profession.

"Insofar as involving public funds is concerned, I think our responsibility is to investigate, whether you're from media, whether you're from the government or whether you're from the private sector," Lacierda said.