Senator Rodante Marcoleta's proposal to amend the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 was overshadowed by his controversial comments about the media during a Senate hearing. Journalists condemned his remarks, calling them irresponsible and reckless, as they maligned media workers and undermined public trust in journalism.
On August 13, 2025, Senator Rodante Marcoleta sparked controversy by proposing to amend Republic Act No. 9344, also known as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.
The amendment, however, was not the only contentious issue that day. Marcoleta's comments about the media during a blue ribbon committee hearing on June 4 drew strong condemnation from journalists covering the Senate. Marcoleta, who made the remarks while Senator Erwin Tulfo was tapped to chair the anti-corruption panel in a Senate shakeup, claimed that many members of the mainstream media were 'nothing more than paid hacks.
' This statement was widely criticized as irresponsible and reckless, as it maligned media workers who risk their lives to inform the public and hold the powerful accountable. The remark comes at a time when disinformation and political polarization are undermining public discourse, making it crucial for government officials to exercise restraint and responsibility in their pronouncements.
Marcoleta's accusations, if not supported by evidence, could erode public trust in legitimate journalism and contribute to a climate of hostility against media practitioners. Journalists, as the Fourth Estate, exist to serve the public interest by pursuing facts, verifying information, questioning those in power, and reporting developments without fear or favor. They should not be dragged into political rivalries or treated as collateral damage in political warfare.
Constructive criticism of media coverage is healthy in a democratic society, but wholesale vilification of an entire profession is not. Public officials, such as Marcoleta, have a responsibility to present evidence when making serious allegations against journalists to avoid undermining democratic institutions
Senator Rodante Marcoleta Juvenile Justice And Welfare Act Of 2006 Media Journalists Political Warfare
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