‘Unbothered’ Korina Sanchez spends weekend in HK amid P10M scandal

 

'My P10M palace,' Korina jokingly says, pointing to Disney's Castle of Magical Dreams

TV host and producer Korina Sanchez spent the weekend in Hong Kong amid the controversy over the alleged Php10 million paid to her for interviewing a couple linked to failed flood control projects across the Philippines.

The pre-arranged trip was mainly to interview overseas Filipino workers for her Face to Face program on TV5, but Sanchez also spent time visiting Hong Kong Disneyland.

Pindutin para sa detalyeP

In an Instagram post, Sanchez posed beside Disney’s Castle of Magical Dreams and captioned it with “My P10 Million Palace. Joke.”

Korina gamely takes photo of a visiting Filipino family (News5)

Earlier, she also cast aside a pointed remark about how much the outfit she wore in flying to HK had cost, by saying “P10M, of course.”

The controversy erupted after Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto alleged on social media that some veteran journalists were accepting money in exchange for interviewing controversial personalities.

He did not name names, but accompanied his remarks with screenshots of Sanchez and fellow TV journalist Julius Babao interviewing Curlee Discaya and his wife Sarah, who lost to Sotto in last May’s mayoral elections.

The Discayas’ two construction companies were named by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr as among the top 15 firms that bagged Php100 billion worth of flood control projects from the Department of Works and Highways, hinting of possible anomalies.

Sanchez’ production team responded with a stinging rebuttal, accusing Sotto of committing cyberlibel.

Basahin ang detalye!

“There is no such thing as a P10 million placement for an interview. It is irresponsible to even say such, to say the least. As your malice is posted on Facebook and publicly besmirches the reputation of Ms. Sanchez, this clearly constitutes cyber libel,” said the published statement.

However, the producers admitted that payments for advertisements of certain businesses like that of the Discayas’ are made to them, but these go to the network and are properly receipted.

Korina poses for photo with OFW Marites Toralba (Facebook photo)

Amid the din, Sanchez set about doing her work and visiting Disneyland HK.

 “The happiest place on earth they say is Disneyland. Actually, the happiest place is peace of mind. In the midst of ignorant hate comes blessed calm knowing that GOOD is in control if you allow it,” she said.

Various posts by OFWs also showed Sanchez in a flaming orange outfit doing her hosting stint with a pre-selected group of migrant leaders as audience, and roaming known Filipino haunts in Central.