Iglesia ni Cristo member Anthony Taberna goes on leave, cites conflict of interest

ABS-CBN broadcaster Anthony Taberna has filed a leave of absence citing "conflict of interest" because he is an active member of Iglesia ni Cristo.

 

On an Instagram post, Taberna said ABS-CBN Integrated News and Current Affairs immediately approved his leave of absence and it will be considered effective until the Iglesia protest dies down. 

 

"Ako po bilang aktibong miyembro ng Iglesia ni Cristo ay nasa isang sitwasyon na hindi maaaring maging credible sa pagtalakay sa isyung may kinalaman dito," he said.  

 

"Mayroon po akong paniniwalang pangrelihiyon at mayroon din naman akong tungkulin bilang mamamahayag, bagay na hindi po maaaring pagsamahin ngayon dahil sa tinatawag na conflict of interest," Taberna added. 

 

Taberna and his wife, Rossel, were among the attendees of the "peaceful assembly" held by Iglesia ni Cristo at the EDSA-Shaw Boulevard intersection.

Taberna is a regular host of the morning show Umagang Kay Ganda, as well as the radio program Dos por Dos in dzMM. 

The broadcaster's decision also came days after two gunmen fired shots at his newly-opened coffee shop along Visayas Avenue in Quezon City.

On Saturday, an ABS-CBN cameraman was attacked by Iglesia ni Cristo members while shooting the protest action at EDSA Shrine.

Radio dzBB reporter Olan Bola was also shoved while trying to pacify the crowd.

Speaking before the crowd at EDSA-Shaw on Saturday night, Iglesia ni Cristo spokesperson Edwil Zabala asked the protesters to avoid hurting members of the media. —Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/ALG, GMA News