This time, I will speak. (On bribery and other annoying rumors)

For the longest time, I opted not to comment on 'rumors' that I accepted an expensive watch from the highest ranking police official of the country. Lest I be accused of being defensive, I opted to stay silent.

But defensive, I am not. I simply choose my battles. But I could not and would not let it pass this time.

For the record, several concerned (and true) friends from the media asked me early this year if Director General Oscar Calderon (who will retire October 1st this year) truly gave me a Rolex watch. I laughed at the idea. Why would he give me an expensive watch? And why would I accept such an expensive gift if he really tried to give me one?

I wanted to keep mum because I don't want to waste energy. But this whole bribery (or to malicious minds--courtship) issue already annoyed me to the highest degree. It came to a point that I wanted to file oral defamation (because although she did not identify me in her blind item, she verbally told people it was I she was referring to) charges against the writer.

I asked her to issue an apology, which she refused to do. I then asked her to just clarify it was not I she was referring to in her blind item, which she also refused to do. Tsk tsk.

I have strongly condemned bribery since my first day as a journalist. I've always regarded this job as noble and I don't want to taint it in any way so you must know how irritating it is for me to be accused of accepting money, favors, or expensive items from my sources.

If I accepted every offer that came my way, I am really rich by now. But no! I'm still a poor little girl! haha. :) Honestly, I earn more than what I need! INQUIRER.net is generous enough and I don't need money from members of this ill government. And certainly I don't want to align myself with media practitioners who tarnish this profession! Do what you want, amass all the money in the world if you want..just don't drag me to your dirty game!

The exchange of jokes between me and Gen Calderon in this morning's TSIP (for more info, see NBN 4 tonight) was not, in any way, geared to revive the issue. If that's how you perceived it, I pity you. For me and Gen Calderon (and the rest of the PNP press corps), the issue you made was just a big joke. Turns out you took it seriously that you had to devote an entire blog entry for a long-dead issue.

It's also a pity that you had to delete Alcuin Papa's reactions in your latest entry. Do you think deleting his replies made your claims valid? I don't think so. I thank God that I have a friend like Alcuin (and several others who believe in me). I wish you had friends like them so you could lead a peaceful life. Really.

Muckraking and mudslinging is an act I am not destined for. So I hope this one's my last.

CONFUSED? CHECK OUT HER BLOG: HERE

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Here's her blind item purportedly referring to yours truly.

(FOR NOVEMBER 29, 2006 ISSUE)

HULI KA, NO?

Ni DIVINE REYES

GENERAL SUITOR

MUKHANG nagmumurang kamyas ang isang Heneral kung makasuyo sa isang batang-bata at baguhang reporter.

Bulong ng ating tagahuli, laging excited si Mr. General kapag may press conference dahil masisilayan nito ang ganda at kaseksihan ng kinahuhumalingang mamamahayag.  Todo smile at pagpapapungay daw ng mga mata ang heneral kapag ang paborito na niyang reporter ang nagtatanong.

Kung minsan, mismong ang kampo ng opisyal ang gumagawa ng aktibidad upang madaluhan lang ng babae?

Hindi rin napigilan si Mr. General sa labis na pagkatuwa sa babae at niregaluhan pa umano ng mamahaling relo kahit walang okasyon?! Totoo bang may exclusive chopper ride pa ang babae?! Hanep..

Sobrang espesyal na trato ang ibinibigay daw ng heneral na ito sa reporter na tila sinasamantala naman ang pagkagusto sa kanya para makakuha ng eksklusibong istorya (hmmm…wala pa naman akong alam na nakakuha ito ng magandang istorya mula kay Mr. General). Tila lunod sa tuwa at nabubulagan ang batang reporter sa atensyon na nakukuha nito sa Heneral at hindi na alintana ang pagseselos ng kanyang boyfriend? Tsk..tsk..tsk..watch out, gurl!

Parang anak daw ang tingin ni Mr. General sa dalaga kung kaya't kinatutuwaang makasama. Pero sa ibang nakakapansin, naamoy nilang may iba pang interes ang opisyal.

Ang ganda-ganda na ng puwesto mo, Sir. Huwag mong abusuhin, ocay?

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