Christian Esguerra talks journalism, neutrality and youth’s role on ‘YSpeak’

On the latest episode of ABS-CBN’s youth-oriented public affairs show YSpeak, veteran political journalist Christian Esguerra spoke about journalism, social issues, and the role of young Filipinos in shaping the country’s future.

Asked about neutrality in the profession, Esguerra argued that journalists should not stay in the middle when confronted with clear abuses of power.

“Let’s say you see a government killing its own people, or a government that’s stealing from the government coffers, gigitna ka ba as journalist? Kasi kapag gumitna ka, that’s just an excuse for you dahil takot ka na ma-offend ‘yung nasa kapangyarihan. But journalism exists basically to offend those in power as a consequence of you speaking truth to power,” he said.

Esguerra has, since 2022, been running his own popular digital program Facts First, where he discusses current events and political issues in the country. In the program, he often dissects national issues and political developments, with frequent guests like political pundit Ronald Llamas and political campaign strategist Allan German.

Asked how he handles death threats given his style and hard-hitting commentaries, Esguerra said: “Pag sa akin kasi pag gusto ka patayin, papatayin ka e. May paraan para mapatay ka. Because I have existing death threats ngayon sa social media, may mga nagpapadala. Some of them I take seriously, some of them I ignore.”

On journalists who turn a blind eye to social issues, Esguerra said the idea itself runs contrary to the profession. “You cannot be a journalist kung nagbubulag-bulagan ka sa social issues because that’s a given di ba,” he remarked.

Esguerra said fear in the profession is understandable but noted that self-censorship remains a concern.

“Ang sa akin naman I don’t take it against them kung duwag noh kasi talaga namang nakakatakot ‘yung profession in many respects. Pero a big part of this has to do with our culture. Medyo timid ‘yung culture natin sa Pilipinas. ‘Yung masyado tayong mahiyain. We really want to impress people. We want to look nice pero nagsasaksakan tayo sa likod. Diba ‘yan ang problema sa kultura natin minsan e. Minsan nadadala natin ‘yan sa journalism,” he said.

Esguerra, who is also a journalism faculty member at the University of Santo Tomas, also shared advice for aspiring journalists, saying character and competence should go hand in hand in pursuing the profession.

“Dapat alam mo ‘yung mindset mo na tama. Alam mo ‘yung issues na dapat tinututukan mo pero at the same time you have to be competent, that means respecting your craft. Hindi pwedeng puro ka tapang, puro ka pabibo pero hindi mo alam papano magbalita, hindi mo alam paano maghanap ng balita, magsalansan ng impormasyon at gumawa ng conclusion base sa facts,” he said.

Later in the program, Esguerra participated in YSpeak’s word association game.

Among those shown was Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto whom he described as “promising.”

Senator Rodante Marcoleta, meanwhile, was described as a “tsinador.” Marcoleta has faced criticism over positions and remarks perceived as favorable toward China-related issues, particularly on matters involving the West Philippine Sea.

Esguerra also had strong reactions to Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Robin Padilla, questioning: “Bakit at papaano naging senador ‘to?” The remark elicited laughter from the audience.

Esguerra reserved perhaps his strongest description for Vice President Sara Duterte, whom he described in one word: “evil.”

Watch the video below: