MANILA, Philippines-The alleged involvement of Korina Sanchez, Mike Enriquez and Luchi Cruz-Valdez in the so-called P10-Billion pork scam has been a hot issue since Sunday.
This was after the local daily broadsheet “The Philippine Daily Inquirer†published an article, reporting that the name of the three broadcast journalists were included in the digital disbursement records of whistle-blower Benhur Luy.
The report said that each of these journalists has received P50,000 cash as "birthday gift†through Mon Arroyo, a former television director.
Sanchez and Enriquez were first to deny that they received anything from Napoles.
In an interview aired on “24 Oras Weekend,†Enriquez said that “madaling kumalikot ng kahit anong papel, ng kahit anong dokumento. Madaling magdagdag, madaling magbawas.†He also added that receiving such gifts is against the policy of his home network GMA.
Related: Korina, Mike Enriquez deny receiving cash gifts from Napoles
Meanwhile, Korina said in a recent and separate interview that she's saddened by the inclusion of her name in the scam.
“I'm very sad about that, na isang bagay na I am quite passionate about, anti-corruption in media, and all my friends know that,†she said. “Ako ang una at maaaring tanging very vocal about issues like that. Kaya nalulungkot ako masyado na ako pa yung nabandera d'yan.â€
Related: Korina on 'cash gift' allegations: 'Nakapagtataka na binigyan ng importansya'
Today, Valdez also released her statement denying that she received anything from Napoles' camp.
"I deny and denounce any imputation or suggestion that I benefited in any way from the PDAF funds facilitated by Mr. Benhur Luy. I have not ever met Mr. Luy, Ms. Janet Lim Napoles, or anyone from JLN Corp., and certainly have not received any gift in any form from their company,†Valdes said.
Related: TV5's Luchi Cruz Valdes denies link in 'pork' scam
'Did they or did they not?'
With such allegations hurled at these news anchors and journalists, netizens weighed in on the issue through social networking site Twitter, discussion boards, and comments section.
Some say these journalists or other journalists could have received such “gifts†from other politicians and personalities other than Napoles.
Still, others believe the denial made by these broadcast journalists.
I never expected Korina Sanchez and Mike Enriquez to be part of the pork barrel scam. Nakaka-gago.
— Renee Agnes. (@reneepyon) May 18, 2014 I don't believe in the involvement of Korina Sanchez & Mike Enriquez in the #PorkBarrelScam. Luy must be doomed. He's losing credibility.
— Ramon Martin (@theRamartino) May 18, 2014 Then there are those who said the government should take a deeper look into the issue.