The brave vs the brazen: Journalists shut down Gadon’s antics

CHEERS TO some media organizations for their reports on Larry Gadon that provided immediate context, fact-checked his statements, and reviewed the controversies and criticism he has faced. Quick responses to a fast-developing story like this allows the public to keep pace but, more important, correct lies and misleading claims immediately.

What’s the Story?

On June 26, media broke the news of Gadon’s appointment by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation. Two days later, on June 28, the Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, disbarred Gadon for “misogynistic, sexist, abusive, and repeated intemperate language” for his verbal attack against journalist Raissa Robles.

Apart from the Robles incident that went viral on video, Gadon is infamous for his use of obscenities, profanities and other offensive antics in responding to his critics. Some media organizations remembered and reviewed these controversies. 

What the Reports Got Right

Despite saying in multiple interviews that Gadon obeys the President and the First Lady’s admonition for him to tone down his utterances, this did not seem to be the case in his recent interviews. Less than a week in office, Gadon was already spewing false claims and red-tagging groups during interviews. Some journalists, however, were quick to debunk these claims on air and in real time.

On ANC’s Headstart, reporter Katrina Domingo said Gadon’s post requires him to work with government agencies, the private sector, and marginalized groups, including some party-list groups that are critical of Gadon. She asked the newly appointed Cabinet member how he intended to work with the said groups when he had disparaged them in the past. Gadon said: “I don’t mind these communist leaders like Anakbayan and Gabriela. I don’t mind them. I will go directly to the people… Magpresidente muna sila bago sila magngakngak (Let them be a president first before they blab).” 

Domingo called out Gadon for labeling legal groups as communists and pointed out that, as a result of red-tagging, their “lives may be endangered.” Gadon curtly said, “I do not care.”

Similarly, on Facts First, Christian Esguerra brought up the topic of his viral video against Robles, to which Gadon responded: “Pinuna niyo ba mismo yung ginawa ni Raissa? Mga immoral din kayo (Did you call out what Raisa did, you are immoral, too.)” 

Esguerra asked Gadon who he was referring to and if he, Esguerra, was among them. Gadon exclaimed: “‘Yan ang mahirap sa inyong mga dilawan kayo (That is the problem with you yellows.)” To counter the charge of bias, Esguerra calmly called Gadon’s attention that at the moment, Esguerra was interviewing him.

At the end of an interview on TV5’s Frontline Tonight, Ed Lingao asked Gadon about the source of his claim that “multinational companies left after the EDSA Revolution.” Lingao said this counters data from the World Bank, the National Economic Development Authority, and the Philippine Statistics Authority. Gadon responded that Lingao should check his data. Lingao left it at that and said the public can check available data from government agencies.

GMA-7’s 24 Oras, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and Inquirer.net provided the timeline of his disbarment case and controversial remarks. Rappler reviewed his connections to past presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Rodrigo Duterte, and his “loyalty” to the Marcos family. 

Why Is this Important?

Poverty has long been an issue in the Philippines, with more than half of Filipinos considering themselves poor. It is the news media’s duty and responsibility to scrutinize the president’s choice for the so-called position of “anti-poverty czar.”  To make light of the role of presidential adviser is to diminish the urgency of addressing the needs of the poor. 

Gadon’s obscene and offensive conduct raises serious questions about his fitness for government office and his appreciation of the demands of public office. capacity to do the job well. The appointment deserves the attention of the media and the people. While stripped of his law credentials, he retains the power and privilege of a public official.