Karen Davila Called Out by VP Sara Duterte’s Office
KAREN DAVILA – The veteran journalist and ABS-CBN news anchor is facing criticism from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) after allegedly sharing false information about Vice President Sara Duterte on her program Headstart, which aired on June 30, 2025.
During her interview with former PCGG Commissioner Atty. Ruben Carranza, Davila stated that, according to unnamed sources, if VP Duterte runs for and wins the presidency in 2028, she plans to bring back the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) and go after the Marcos family to recover alleged ill-gotten wealth.
The OVP quickly responded with an official statement posted on Facebook, titled “Statement on the Fabricated Lies Being Spread by TV Newsreader Karen Davila.” In it, they denied the claim, calling it completely false and without any factual basis. They emphasized that Vice President Duterte has never made such a statement or expressed any intention to do so.
The OVP also criticized Davila for citing anonymous sources without proper verification, calling the act irresponsible and misleading. They argued that this kind of reporting spreads rumors instead of facts and does not meet the standards of responsible journalism.
The statement referred to the Code of Ethics of the Philippine Press Institute, which reminds journalists that their primary responsibility is to report the truth and avoid broadcasting or publishing unverified information. The OVP then urged Davila and ABS-CBN to exercise greater care and responsibility when reporting sensitive political matters that could damage reputations.
The Vice President’s office concluded the statement by saying it reserves the right to take appropriate action to protect VP Duterte’s integrity and name. The issue has sparked broader discussions on media accountability and the importance of verifying sources before reporting.