ABS-CBN probes ‘rudeness’ complaint vs Doris Bigornia

MANILA, Philippines – ABS-CBN News is investigating the complaint of a Davao-based GMA7 reporter that Doris Bigornia was rude to him and  his crewmember during a recent coverage in Davao City.

ABS-CBN issued a statement on Friday, May 13, following the complaint of  GMA reporter John Paul Sarsuelo Seniel against Bigornia in a Facebook post on Wednesday, May 11.

“ABS-CBN News is investigating the incident involving journalist Doris Bigornia that was the subject of an open letter/complaint  by a GMA reporter. Bigornia has given her side of the story and we are now evaluating the claims and counter-claims of the two reporters,” the network said in a statement.

“We have also reached out to the GMA reporter to discuss the issue. As we continue to investigate, we assure the public of our commitment to uphold the provisions of our Ethics and Standards Manual,” it added.

In his Facebook post, Seniel urged Bigornia to “act with decency when you are with your fellow members of the media.”

He said the incident happened while he was giving a live report for the GMA 24 Oras Southern Mindanao newscast, interviewing Bong Go, the executive assistant of presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte.

“Our DMNG Engineer Al Lim Ramz politely told you to excuse yourself from our camera since you became an eye sore to my live report. Mr Bong Go and I were on cam, but you immediately scolded him (Ramz) and even told him, ‘Sapakin kita (I’ll hit you),'” Seniel said.

He said he was alarmed by the behavior of the veteran journalist, and appealed to her to be more respectful towards others in media.

Last year, Bigornia became the subject of a similar Facebook post of a concert-goer who complained about her alleged rude behavior. – Rappler.com