Japan Declares Korina Sanchez Persona Non Grata

TOKYO, Japan — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared earlier Monday, Filipino broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez, ペルソナノングラータ or persona non grata, for “wishing ill will against others.”

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 an Interior Ministry’s wife”.

“I am very saddened to hear reports of schadenfreude coming from a TV anchor, who just last year, was 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.”

On the Wednesday, December 3, newscast of ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol, the network’s chief correspondent and veteran anchor said she hoped Typhoon Ruby (international name Hagupit) would hit Japan instead of the Philippines, and that Filipinos could still pray the typhoon away.

De Castro then remarks, “Sana ay hati na lang tayo.” (I wish we could split [the typhoon’s impact.])

“Kalahati sa Pilipinas, kalahati sa Japan (Half to the Philippines, half to Japan),” De Castro said, to which Sanchez responded, “Puwede bang sa kanila na lang lahat?” (Can’t they just get all of it?)

De Castro said hopefully not, but Sanchez pressed on, saying, “Sa kanila na lang lahat. Parang mas kaya nila.” (Let them have it all. It seems they can handle it better).

(via Rappler)

Abe added, “As for former Vice President Noli De Castro, who only wished half of Hagupit on others, I am hereby declaring him, albeit half-heartedly, persona non grata as well.”

Reactions

Screen grab from Rappler

Netizens were up in arms upon hearing the comments made by Sanchez, majority of which posted and shared their sentiments on various social media sites.

ABG Neilsen and Kantor Media TNX also reported a huge spike in ratings for the newscast’s segment.

“I think these numbers speak for themselves and that it probably signifies viewers’ disdain for the quality of news reportage on our mainstream media,” said ABG Neilsen Spokesman Philo Farnsworth. “The ‘masa‘ viewers seems to be wising up.”

But Kantor Media TNX spokesman Charles Francis Jenkins disagrees with Farnsworth.

“If nothing else, these ‘masa‘ viewers agree and feel the same way as Ms. Sanchez,” said Jenkins. “And what all these numbers signify are just the viewers’ eagerness to watch the latest episode of Dream Dad.”

“Because at the end of the day, they (the masa) really don’t care about these small blunders being made by public figures,” he added. “All they care about is why ‘Yes Agnes‘ trended worldwide on Twitter.”

To which Farnsworth jested, “Ooooh, worldwide….”