Anchor Issues Sincere Apology Over Flood-Control Probe Comments
During the recent flood-control probe discussion, the name of actress Sharon Cuneta was unexpectedly brought up, prompting “Sa Ganang Mamamayan” anchor Nelson Lubao to issue a heartfelt apology. Early in the flood-control probe investigation, Lubao expressed deep regret for causing distress to Cuneta, who is the wife of Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.
“On behalf of our program, and from myself personally, I extend our deepest apologies to Ms. Sharon Cuneta for the pain and distress this has caused… Since our program was the cause of your hurt, we are truly and profoundly sorry,” Lubao stated.
Controversial Remarks During Senate Flood-Control Probe Interview
The incident took place during the August 29 episode featuring Senator Rodante Marcoleta. Co-anchor Gen Subardiaga suggested that Cuneta should ask her husband to step down from the Senate blue ribbon committee. This suggestion came after Marcoleta expressed offense at Senator Pangilinan’s remarks about the investigation.
Marcoleta had criticized Pangilinan’s proposal to create a separate body to investigate flood-control projects, implying the existing committee was ineffective. Lubao explained that Marcoleta viewed Pangilinan’s stance as questioning the committee’s competence.
Pangilinan Demands Apology for Disrespecting Sharon Cuneta
Following the broadcast, Senator Pangilinan called on the network’s management to apologize, emphasizing that the anchors’ comments disrespected and hurt his wife. “They disrespected Sharon, insulted her, and wounded her feelings by dragging her into this issue,” the senator declared.
Lubao accepted Pangilinan’s assertion that his wife was hurt, saying, “Whether our method of commentary meets that specific definition is a matter of opinion and debate. However, what is not debatable is the result. Senator Pangilinan has publicly stated that his wife was hurt by our words, and I take him at his word.”
Apology Mixed with Accusation of Emotional Appeal
Despite the apology, Lubao criticized Pangilinan for appealing to emotion instead of addressing the core issue. He noted, “Senator Pangilinan’s response was a textbook example of the appeal to emotion, specifically an appeal to pity. Instead of addressing the substantive question about his conflicting stance, his statement focused entirely on the emotional impact of the on-air comment on his wife, a beloved ‘Megastar.’ He used the reported hurt as the sole basis of his counter-argument.”
Lubao further accused the senator of shifting the public narrative away from accountability to defending a popular figure. “This tactic masterfully leverages the public’s affection for a respected figure to shift the narrative. The debate becomes not about a senator’s accountability, but about defending a beloved personality. It substitutes an emotional argument (her feelings were hurt) for a logical one (an answer to the political question),” he explained.
Clarifications on the Independent Investigation Proposal
It is important to note that the idea of creating a separate investigative body was initially proposed by Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, not Senator Pangilinan. Pangilinan merely supported the establishment of this independent group, clarifying his position on the matter.
Co-anchor’s Silence on Apology
While Gen Subardiaga shared Lubao’s apology post, he has yet to issue a personal statement or apology regarding the incident, leaving some observers awaiting further response.
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