Arnold: You can’t shut me up

MANILA, Philippines - It was one of the most controversial, social media buzz-worthy media stories last year: GMA 7’s Arnold Clavio was criticized online for his interview with Janet Lim-Napoles’ lawyer Alfredo Villamor during the early days of the pork barrel scam exposé. 

In the heated discussion which was aired in Unang Hirit, Arnold grilled Alfredo over the scam, where Napoles is allegedly the mastermind. Alfredo evaded the questions thrown by Arnold, saying he was not in the position to answer questions about the issue because he was Napoles’ counsel in a different case. This irked the Kapuso newscaster.

The interview, which quickly turned viral on the Internet, was tagged as “rude” and “inappropriate” by netizens, and it merited the attention of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).  

But if there was one lesson Arnold learned from the incident, it would be that one should stick to his guns even when the going gets tough.

“Kahit mag-isa na lang ako, kapag nanindigan ako, paninindigan ko ‘yun,” the TV and radio newscaster told members of the press in a recent media gathering for the launch of his iGAN ng Pilipinas Foundation’s partnership with RiteMED and the Philippine General Hospital’s Adopt a Diabetic Child program.

He added, “I never interview that way. I have Tonight with Arnold Clavio (his evening show on GMA News TV), hindi naman ako ganoon mag-interview. Pero ito yung moment na hindi ko palalagpasin na seryoso kami sa pagbabantay sa tax natin, tapos ganoon lang yung makukuha mo sa kanilang sagot.”

Arnold, who has been in the broadcasting industry for over 20 years, said his goal as a broadcast journalist is to get answers from his subjects —even if his manner in doing so may not please some viewers and listeners. 

“Ang problema kasi natin dito, as a journalist alam ko yung totoo. But we have limitations when it comes to space and time. We can't tell everything,” he shared. “You can't shut me up. With that kind of issue, the serious ones, you have to side with the truth. Hindi yung parang inuuna mo yung image mo sa tao.” 

Still, he did go online to check the sentiment of netizens about the interview. 

“Kasi naman ang mga tao dito, kung walang storya, ang storya yung trending,” he lamented. “That is only what’s very frustrating with social media. Isang beses lang yun, di ba?”

And if there’s one thing the viewers should learn from the issue? “If you have the voice, use it,” Arnold said. 

“Kung ako ang pagkakatiwalaan ng tao, as a journalist, I have the voice, hindi ko ikakahiya yun, gagamitin ko yun para lumabas ang katotohanan,” he further explained.

His on-air tirade, Arnold quipped, was not caused by any medical problems. “Actually, tinanong ako ng mga taga-MTRCB kung high blood ako,” he joked.

Unknown to many, Arnold is a Type-2 diabetic. He found it out 10 years ago, when former Sen. Juan Flavier advised him to have a check-up when he found ants on his toilet bowl. During the check-up, he discovered his blood sugar level had already reached a high 480.

“Hindi po madali ang may sakit na ganito, mahirap po siya,” Clavio said, adding he had to change his lifestyle after finding out his illness. It also prompted him to add diabetic children among the beneficiaries of his non-profit organization, which was founded in 2001. The foundation focuses on helping children with life-threatening diseases.

Under iGAN ng Pilipinas Foundation, Arnold is supporting 10 children with diabetes from underprivileged from the UP-PGH Department of Pediatrics section. The foundation provides the children with financial assistance for purchasing medicines and for medical check-ups. It also has a partnership with RiteMED, which recently launched the Type-1 diabetes medicine insulin drug Insulyf. 

“Kaya nga nung dumating itong mga bata, hindi na ako nagdalawang isip kasi paano mo mamahalin ang sarili mo nang hindi mo nakikita yung paghihirap ng iba. Sila rin yung nagpapaalala sa akin na, ‘Oops, inaabuso mo na katawan mo,’” he said.

Is his involvement in the organization a sign that he’s interested in entering politics to further help the needy? Arnold said he has no political ambition.

“Kapag inisip mo, ano ngayon ang impression sa mga politician ngayon?” he said.

The 48-year-old broadcaster has a soft spot for children and families in general — which is why he also goes to great lengths to protect his own family as well.

“As a public figure, marami rin akong natitira sa gobyerno. I don’t want to compromise my family. Kahit yung mga reporma ng mga shows ko nung araw, kapag family never akong nagsasalita talaga. That’s my protection. Lahat tayo, weakness natin yun. Iwan natin sa kanila yung buhay nila dahil yung trabaho ko ay risky,” Arnold said.