Courtesy: Senate of the Philippines fp page
SENATOR Rodante Marcoleta issued an apology to members of the media on Thursday after previously describing them as “paid hacks,” a statement that drew strong criticism from the Senate press corps and media organizations.
Speaking in Filipino during a press briefing, he said, “I apologize for the way I spoke. I did not mean it,” expressing regret over the choice of words that many viewed as a sweeping and unfair attack on the profession. The apology comes shortly after reporters condemned his remarks as reckless and harmful to press freedom, especially at a time when journalists face risks and challenges in carrying out their duties.
Even as he apologized, Marcoleta offered an explanation to defend his earlier outburst, saying his comment was driven by deep frustration over how certain issues and events were being covered.
He pointed specifically to what he perceived as delays in the ongoing investigation into the flood control projects controversy, as well as a notable incident during the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) rally in January 2025. According to the senator, he felt consistently left out or overlooked in reports, which he believed reflected bias or selective reporting on the part of some media groups.
Elaborating on the rally incident, Marcoleta noted that he was one of only four speakers during the gathering and had delivered a speech lasting around 45 minutes. However, he claimed that two major newspapers published stories about the event without including his name at all. “When the Philippine Star reported on that incident, eight reporters worked on a single report. On the other hand, three reporters from the Philippine Daily Inquirer worked together on the same story. So 11 reporters heard it, yet my name was not even mentioned,” he recounted, emphasizing that this omission was the root of his disappointment.
The clarification follows strong reactions from the media community, which had warned that such remarks could foster hostility toward journalists and undermine public trust in legitimate news reporting. While Marcoleta has now expressed regret for the wording of his statement, he maintained that his observation regarding coverage gaps remains valid.
