Veteran broadcast journalist Kara David has refuted a viral quote card circulating on social media that falsely attributed statements to her in response to Senator Rodante Marcoleta’s allegations that members of the media receive payments for favorable coverage. The posts claimed David said, “Hindi po kami bayaran…Gusto mo yata i-wish kita.”
David clarified that the quote was fabricated and that the only statement she made regarding the controversy was, “Hindi kami bayaran” (We are not paid hacks).
On June 6, she publicly denounced the viral posts, saying that her words had been altered and urging the public to report pages spreading misinformation.
The controversy stemmed from Marcoleta’s remarks during the June 4 Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, where he alleged that some journalists covering the Senate receive payments, including suitcases of cash, in exchange for favorable reporting. David later shared a news update about the senator’s comments and posted a brief caption denying the accusation.
The fabricated quote also attempted to connect her response to a viral 2025 birthday wish in which she said she hoped all corrupt people in the Philippines would die, further fueling speculation among social media users.
The false posts drew criticism from journalists and fact-checkers. The Senate media corps, along with media organizations such as the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and Facts First PH, condemned the accusations against journalists.
Meanwhile, Marcoleta later retracted his claim and issued an apology to the media industry, while David reiterated the importance of respecting differing opinions without resorting to the spread of false information.
