OCD exec apologizes for bias toward gov’t media

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

FOR days, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol has been in the spotlight for giving undue preference to state-run media while belittling and undermining private media, treating them as a secondary priority for disseminating information in the country’s most disaster-prone region.

OCD Assistant Regional Director Jessar Adornado is under fire after publicly admitting his preference for government media over non-state media.

“I prefer to give interviews to government media because they have been supportive. They showed what the government was doing. You couldn’t get that from private media, to be frank,” Adornado said during the ceremonial signing and official creation of the Radio Pilipinas Regional Communication Group at Camp General Simeon Ola in Legazpi City. The event was broadcast live on Facebook by Radyo Pilipinas Albay, a state-run media outlet.

According to Adornado, his preference stems from his previous experience as OCD Bicol’s public information officer, during which he prioritized government media for disseminating information and encouraged his successors to do the same.

Adornado, representing OCD Regional Director Claudio Yucot, stated that he preferred government media over private media. It was during Yucot and Adornado’s tenure that private media were no longer allowed to attend RDRRMC briefings before, during, and after disaster response efforts—except for government media. In contrast, in the past, private media were invited and allowed to be part of the briefings before press conferences were held.

Following Adornado’s statement, members of the private media strongly condemned the OCD assistant regional director.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)–Albay chapter issued a statement denouncing Adornado for violating press freedom.

The NUJP’s statement of support for Bicol’s non-state media asserted that Adornado’s stance violated press freedom.

“Recognizing the region as the ‘center of hazards’ and how those hazards are managed are two sides of the same coin. The independent media’s factual reporting on both government efforts and public concerns must be encouraged, not frowned upon, in a democratic country,” the statement said.

This controversy arose just one day before the 39th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, ironically reminding the public of how press censorship undermines people’s right to information—an essential component of disaster response and management, the NUJP stated.

“We, too, recognize the value of constructive journalism in promoting public trust and discourse; however, the fundamental question remains: for whom are the solutions intended? A free and responsible press should not be seen as a threat by governments or their spokespersons who are willing to engage with public scrutiny openly,” the NUJP–Albay chapter said.

“Thus, we support our colleagues’ call for Adornado to publicly apologize for belittling the media’s role as a watchdog, as well as for disregarding the perilous task of reporting from disaster zones,” the group added.

Similarly, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP)–Albay chapter issued a statement condemning Adornado’s remarks.

The KBP–Albay chapter expressed concern over Adornado’s dismissive stance toward private media while advocating for the prioritization of government-run media in providing essential information.

“Such statements undermine the fundamental role that private outlets play in providing diverse, independent, and critical perspectives in a democratic society. Mindsets and actions like these only serve to erode public trust in the media and create an environment where the free flow of information is compromised,” the statement read.

“The organization stands firm in its commitment to press freedom and the principle that all media outlets—public and private—should have equal access to information. We believe that every media practitioner, whether working for a government-run or private media outlet, plays a critical role in delivering accurate, balanced, and timely news to the public,” it said.

The KBP–Albay chapter emphasized that the government must recognize the critical role of private media as partners in ensuring transparency, accountability, and the free exchange of ideas. Private media should be considered partners, not enemies of the state. They also help compensate for the infrastructure limitations of government-sponsored media, the KBP–Albay said.

“We call for the equal treatment of all media entities, with no preference given to any one source of information. We urge both public and private sectors to work together to uphold the integrity of the media landscape and ensure that all journalists and broadcasters can perform their duties without fear or bias. We stand united in protecting press freedom, which is an essential pillar in democracy,” the KBP said.

Following the condemnations from the KBP and NUJP, Adornado issued a public apology.

“I would like to sincerely apologize for my statements on February 24, 2025, during a Radio Pilipinas event in Legazpi City, Albay. I did not intend to belittle the private/independent media or their capacity. I am sorry for the harm caused by my remarks,” Adornado said in a public apology aired on Radyo Pilipinas Albay.

“I assure you that this will not happen again, and I will always support the important role of the media, whether public or private. I understand the outrage this has caused. Again, I sincerely apologize,” Adornado said.