Social media expressed their anger online after radio station DZRH aired an unverified news report that participants of Vice President Leni Robredo’s “pink caravans” in Samar did not receive their promised payment. Robredo is running for President in the May 2022 elections.
The report further stated that organizers of the motorcade supposedly pocketed these payments, which the station later called “erroneous.”
Organizers of the caravan in Northern Samar categorically denied that there was money involved in the motorcade, adding that participation in the activity was voluntary.
In a statement shared with Robredo’s spokesperson Barry Gutierrez, volunteers condemned the erroneous report “in the strongest term.” Gutierrez called the DZRH report “fake news.”
As support for VP Leni grows, we know that the hired trolls of other candidates will work overtime to spread lies and fake news. But we expect a bit more from those in the media profession. Salamat at mabuhay #Kakampink volunteers! #fightfakenews #LeniRobredo2022 #TRoPa2022 pic.twitter.com/cxRJpzmDDY
— Barry Gutierrez (@barrygutierrez3) November 1, 2021
Manila Broadcasting Corporation vice president and DZRH station manager Cesar Chavez later issued an apology, adding that the reporter has been suspended.
Mali ang report ng DZRH, paumanhin po VP @lenirobredo at sa iyong mga supporter sa Northern Samar @barrygutierrez3 @dzrhnews pic.twitter.com/ioY8gnocsh
— Cesar Chavez (@sarchavez) November 1, 2021
Netizens continued to slam the unfounded report, adding that the “damage has been done.”
Culture of trust in this country is shot. Should I believe that DZRH is being an ethically responsible media outlet? O takot sa lawsuit? Well, legit media really works with a lot of accountability on their shoulders. Ang mga “influencers,” WALA. Kaya malakas ang loob 😡 https://t.co/3KqVEtLVyQ
— Tita Makibaka🇵🇭 (@TitaMakibaka) November 2, 2021
this is more than an error in reporting. it is fraud. reporter invented the news report.
— WhatAWasteofAdMoney (@wawam) November 2, 2021
reporter should be fired and banned fr media work by all media outlets. @DZRH should find out why this reporter did what he did. was he paid to file this fraudulent report? @sarchavez https://t.co/abOzAIgVg4
Robredo’s supporters, dubbed as “Kakam-pinks”, have been carrying out weekend motorcades nationwide and abroad in a show of support for the Vice President, who announced her bid for the presidency in October.
READ: Robredo picks labor leader Sonny Matula for 12th slot in Senate slate
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