Cayetano accuses Daily Tribune of black prop; paper says story fair

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday accused Daily Tribune and its management of spreading "black propaganda" against him even from the time that the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games was happening in the country.

In his speech before lawmakers earlier in the day, Cayetano slammed the newspaper for publishing a story that Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco would already assume the speakership by October 14, following their meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night.

According to Cayetano, the President's instruction to them was that he would be the one to make the announcement on what transpired during the meeting.

"But as usual, hindi marunong tumupad si Congressman Velasco. Nasa kotse pa lang ako, hindi ko pa nakakausap ang mga mahal ko sa buhay, ‘di ko pa nakakausap yung mahal kong mga kongresista, nasa oposisyon man o administrasyon, nag-text brigade na na may halong fake news," he said.

"Di naman po ako nagulat d’un sa Tribune, kasi nabanggit ko na po sa ating Pangulo, 'Mr. President, si Cong. Velasco ang PR n’yan ay si Willie Fernandez ng Tribune. Umpisa pa lang ng SEA Games ginugulo na ako n’yan at kung anu-anong black propaganda [ang pinapakalat]," he added.

Fernandez is the owner of Daily Tribune.

In response, Daily Tribune said its management and editorial board took exception to Cayetano's statement, and stood by

It pointed out that Cayetano did not dispute the content of the story, but the timing of its publication given that it was the Speaker who should have been the first to announce the development.

"The Daily Tribune maintains good relations with its sources, including government officials and employees who provide its reporters with information, including 'off the record' cuffs," it said.

"Last night’s meeting between the President and the legislators was a 'fair' coverage even if reporters were not allowed to join due to the health protocols being imposed," it added.

It also maintained that the story Cayetano had questioned was also verified by its reporters from various sources.

Daily Tribune also said Fernandez denounced Cayetano's accusation that he "besmirched" the conduct of the 2019 SEA Games.

“Daily Tribune is neutral in all its activities. But in keeping up with our slogan of 20 years—‘Without Fear, Without Favor’—it will keep a tab on stories of success and expose shenanigans, especially among public officials, because that is our vow to the Filipino,” Fernandez was quoted as saying.

In the same speech, Cayetano offered to resign from his post, only to be rejected by his fellow lawmakers through a nominal vote. —LDF, GMA News