In fairness to Korina

“Fairness is not an attitude. It's a professional skill that must be developed and exercised.”  Brit Hume

By Alex P. Vidal

THE problem with being the wife of a prominent politician is that you are always under close scrutiny; even the way you shape your eyebrows and the manner you move your lips are subjected to microscopic sleuthing.

Such is the misfortune that befell Korina Sanchez, twice a recipient of disparaging remarks from do-gooders and dyed-in-the-wool haters; fault-finders who always find pleasure in mocking the first lady wanna-be with catatonic impulsion.

When Korina committed a lapsus linguae in the super-typhoon “Ruby” forecast during a newscast on ABS-CBN last December 3, detractors were quick to make mountain out of a molehill, tearing her apart like ribbons for being “irresponsible” and a dork.

We know that Korina made the mistake sans malice and bad faith.

Everyone commits a mistake every now and then.

Nobody’s perfect.

One reckless statement does not make a professional media personality a merchant of doom overnight.

Korina did not commit the error with a joyride.

It went viral and the consequences were fatal and unpalatable.

FIRE

After it caught fire and brimstone in the social media, a hoax report was posted on a satirical website parroting that she was supposedly declared persona non grata by no less than Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The hoax report shot: “Abe, speaking in public after his meeting with officials of Japan Meteorological Agency regarding typhoon Hagupit (Ruby), said that for a public figure such as Sanchez, to say such things towards Japan; is an act "definitely unbecoming of a news anchor, let alone an Interior Ministry's wife".

"I am very saddened to hear reports of schadenfreude coming from a TV anchor, who just last year, was put in her place by Mr. Anderson Cooper of CNN," said Abe.

"That is why without a second thought, I am declaring wholeheartedly Ms. Korina Sanchez of the Philippines, as an unwelcome person anywhere in Japan."

The International Business Times, meanwhile, decried that “many in the Philippines were outraged by the insensitive remark made by the prominent TV anchor. However, for Sanchez, this is not the first time that she has courted controversy at the global level.”

RAPPLER

It recalled, citing a Rappler report, that in November last year, Korina, who is ABS-CBN's chief correspondent and anchor of its flagship newscast TV Patrol, had lashed out at CNN anchor Anderson Cooper for criticizing the country's government and their response to handling the Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

“Following her insensitive remark, the recent hoax gained more traction, as now Sanchez's husband Mar Roxas is said to be aspiring for the President's seat in the country and any statement from her would have an impact, both at national and international levels,” added the International Business Times.

In another bizarre development, comedian Joey de Leon, of all the people, lambasted the popular TV newscaster on Twitter.

But who is Joey de Leon?

His soliloquy can be easily dismissed as akin to a pot calling the kettle black.