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This story is actually supposed to be about the statement released by ABS-CBN Integrated News on the fact that ABS-CBN TV anchor/reporter Anthony Taberna went on leave from the network, following developments within Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), to which he is affiliated.
READ: ABS-CBN newsman Anthony Taberna goes on leave, cites INC ties
However, there’s one piece of information that got our attention: Expelled INC minister Isaias Samson Jr. has been identified in reports as Taberna’s uncle.
In fact, in a Radyo Inquirer interview, Taberna was quoted as saying, “I have had no contact with my uncle since he came out [with his charges against the INC leaders]. Of course we are blood relations, he is the first cousin of my mother.”
Then, in a Manila Standard Today report, Taberna had remarked: “If you were to ask me, I do not support what he (Samson) did in engaging the public to discuss the affairs of the church. There is a proper way to do so.”
Indeed, Samson is the one who filed an illegal detention complaint at the Department of Justice against eight members of INC’s Sanggunian. The following INC Sanggunian members were named in the complaint: Glicerio B. Santos Jr., Radel. G. Cortez, Bienvenido C. Santiago Sr., Mathusalem V. Pareja, Rolando A. Esguerra, Eraño Codera, Rolando Cabrerra, and Maximo Bularan.
READ: Dismissed INC minister files illegal detention complaint vs. 8 Sanggunian members
On Sun, Aug 30, Taberna attended the INC protest at EDSA and spoke before hundreds of INC attendees. He later announced on his Instagram account that he is taking a leave of absence.
Taberna co-hosts ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda and radio dzMM’s Dos por Dos.
Anyway, in a statement issued on Mon, Aug 31, ABS-CBN Integrated News head Ging Reyes said the company respects Taberna’s “personal decision.”
“We respect Anthony Taberna’s personal decision to take a leave of absence from his duties as a TV anchor/reporter and Radio commentator to avoid any conflict of interest in the coverage of issues surrounding the Iglesia Ni Cristo, of which he is a member,” Reyes said.
Reyes added that ABS-CBN News considered Taberna’s “wish to separate his roles as an active INC member and a journalist to avoid compromising his objectivity.” (from an ABS-CBNnews.com report)
Photos: News clips
