Three newspapers insist on Bong Go spotlight

JEERS TO some print media’s relentless spotlighting of a senator who won his seat in 2019. Solely based on his proximity to the highest source of power and his constant presence around then President Duterte, some voters thought Bong Go fit to be a legislator. With Duterte no longer in Malacañang, Go has apparently become the main subject of three Manila newspapers. 

In less than two weeks, from July 1 to July 13, Daily Tribune, Manila Times, and Manila Bulletin published a total of 42 pieces on Senator Bong Go, all of which fabricated “news” out of the most trivial things, among them his message of congratulations to the new administration, his glowing praise for his former boss, and even his pride in athletes on parade. All had little to do with his work as a legislator. 

The Manila Times published more than one on July 1 and again on July 9. The Daily Tribune did the same on July 3, and the Manila Bulletin on July 3.    

On July 9, the Tribune, where Go has been writing a column for over four years, published an article describing Go’s priority bills as “people-centered and service-oriented”—without detailing what these were about. The Times issued three pieces about Go giving aid to indigents and fire victims while the Bulletin echoed Go’s praise for former president Duterte in two pieces. 

Throughout the whole period, the Manila Times published 19 items, the Daily Tribune, 16; and the Manila Bulletin, 7.

This pattern of PR for Bong Go was already noted by CMFR in 2019, and in April and December 2021. This fixation with “puff and boost” pieces gives the rest of the news community a bad name.