Unsubstantiated claim

Jeers to the Philippine Daily Inquirer for publishing an unsubstantiated claim from embattled Vice-President Jejomar Binay, further muddling up the current discourse and debate regarding the political controversies involving him.

There’s a well-funded media “smear campaign” to attack my reputation, Binay claimed in the report. These included, Binay told the paper, “paying off journalists to churn out negative reports about him.” (“Well-funded media drive behind smear, says Binay,” Dec. 15, p. A14)

“The media bought the lies that my enemies had peddled. I’m sorry to say this, but what they spent in this campaign is huge,” the Inquirer quoted Binay as saying. He accused “some broadcasters” of receiving money from his detractors to hit him. “These broadcasters have signing fees. Each broadcaster is paid for every attack against me,” he added.

Binay, who was the only source in the report, did not provide any information to substantiate his claim. He also refused to identify the journalists whom he accused of being on the take.