02/07/2025
STATEMENT ON THE FABRICATED LIES BEING SPREAD BY TV NEWSREADER KAREN DAVILA
02 July 2025
The Office of the Vice President strongly takes exception to the false and irresponsible claims made by TV newsreader Karen Davila during the 30 June 2025 episode of Headstart aired on the ABS-CBN News Channel.
In her interview with former Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) Commissioner Atty. Ruben Carranza, Ms. Davila falsely stated that should Vice President Sara Z. Duterte decide to run for president in the 2028 elections and win, “one thing sources say—if she wins, she will bring back the PCGG and once again, ‘di ba, prosecute the Marcoses, (and) get back the ill-gotten wealth.”
This statement is a BLATANT FALSEHOOD and an ABSOLUTE LIE. The claim made by Ms. Davila is ENTIRELY FABRICATED and has no basis in fact.
Vice President Duterte has never made such a statement, nor has she expressed any intent or issued any policy direction remotely similar to what Ms. Davila irresponsibly and recklessly attributed to unnamed “sources.”
By citing anonymous sources to spread baseless claims, Ms. Davila is engaging in reckless misinformation under the guise of journalistic privilege. Citing anonymous individuals without any verifiable basis is not journalism, but a gossip masquerading as news.
The Code of Ethics of the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) reminds journalists that “[t]he paramount responsibility of the press is to serve the truth” and that “rumors and unverified reports should not be published or broadcast.”
We call on Ms. Davila and her network to exercise greater journalistic responsibility and refrain from airing unverified claims that mislead the public and tarnish reputations.
The OVP reserves all rights to pursue appropriate remedies to protect the integrity and credibility of the Vice President.
