I just want to share this
Dear Karen Davila, Zen Hernandez and the Producers of ABS-CBN:
by Raul Laguitan
On May 8, 2015, I saw your video broadcast of your Bandila piece about Emgoldex, entitled, "How Emgoldex recruiters scam victims." This was a very bold statement. You all had the confidence in the world to spread this news. The statement and newscast caught my attention because it was a strongly worded title and left no room for doubt. It directly proclaims that Emgoldex is a scam operation.
You came with this conclusion after broadcasting the voice of a certain "Edgar" over telephone, who complained that he was scammed by someone after handing over his cash. This "Edgar" dude did not provide his last name nor showed a picture of his face. He hid under the cloak of anonymity. The fact that he was hiding his identity bolsters my suspicion that his credibility maybe in question. I can't wait to see a formal complaint from him. In any event, he was content to use your media to blast off his complaint.
In the same broadcast, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) claims that there are numerous complaints against Emgoldex, but you and the SEC fail to identify the other "numerous" complaints. You did not say "alleged complaints." Then you get the reaction of the SEC chair, who proclaims, on the basis of the single phone call from "Edgar" that Emgoldex "definitely" is a scam operation and that it is now coordinating with other government agencies to launch an investigation.
That was your story. Sadly, however, you failed to fulfill the basic tenets of responsible and ethical journalism.
First, you never verified the identity of "Edgar" other than to say that he was an OFW from South Korea.
Second, you did not attempt to seek other people who could corroborate that what "Edgar" complained of was truthful. You wanted the word out as quickly as possible without talking to others who may know "Edgar" and who could have corroborated his statements.
Third, you relied on Edgar's proclamation to conclude that Emgoldex recruiters are scamming victims. I can tell you that I am an Emgoldex client and my sponsor has NOT scammed me.
Fourth, you did not get to the "source" from Emgoldex to prove or disprove that Emgoldex is a scam operation. That is another sad news.
My take on your newscast is this: You rushed to judgment without verifying facts, obtaining corroborating evidence, and seeking the truth.
The basic tenets of ethical journalism is to seek out, within your limits, the truth and provide accuracy in reporting. While you cannot always guarantee "truth", but getting the facts right is the cardinal principle of journalism. It is obvious that your story lacks the necessary facts and evidence to substantiate your and the SEC's allegations.
You should always strive for accuracy, give all the relevant facts you have and ensure that they have been checked. If you cannot corroborate information, you should have said so in your newscast. You did not. Never heard it. You, as a respected media organization, collectively have failed in this basic principle.
Your story also lacks fairness and impartiality. Most stories have two sides. While you are under no obligation to present every side in every piece, your story should be balanced and add context. Impartial reporting builds trust and confidence. I am extremely disappointed that you also failed in this important journalism principle.
But I have some good news for you all. Emgoldex, as an online business entity, is NOT a scam. I own or manage at least 7 individual accounts which are progressing at different table-levels within the Emgoldex marketing plan. See photos I uploaded here. These accounts are RL1 through RL7. I started in mid-March,2015; One of the accounts is already showing profits. And yes, contrary to the suggestion that there is no product involved in Emgoldex, there is a product. There is an option to buy and sell gold in minimal quantities, from 1 gram up to 100 grams.
Here are some basic facts that would help complete your story: There are thousands of your countrymen in the Philippines and abroad, in many countries, who are satisfied clients of Emgoldex, making a whole lot of money from what they have seen in their lives. There are police officers and military men in Philippine uniforms who are clients and who have turned to Emgoldex to supplement their measly incomes. There are government officials in the provinces and local levels who have joined Emgoldex and are reaping the rewards of Emgoldex.
There are many stories of OFWs who have abandoned their jobs abroad and have returned home after earning substantial income from Emgoldex. Don't you think their voices need to be heard to get a balanced equation of your story?
Please attempt to seek these individuals and get their side of the story. Their stories are posted in social media, in YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. They are all over the internet. A simple click of the mouse and your friend Google would trace their videos and writings.
At least GMA-7 got their story right on March 28, 2015. They interviewed a group of OFWs in Kuwait and shared their Emgoldex experiences. All claim they made a ton of money. No one claimed foul. No one reported they got scammed by Emgoldex. You can glean from their eyes that they were all happy and that they deserved what they have prayed for -- to earn a better living for themselves and for their families. I was not surprised to hear their stories.
Please also knock on the doors of Emgoldex's headquarters in Munich, Germany and their administrative offices in Dubai, UAE to get the story straight from its officers. ABS-CBN has resources and pool of reporters around the world to get to these offices.
You will not find an office or a business entity in the Philippines because Emgoldex has no such offices. It is operating as an online portal; It is NOT in the business of selling securities and therefore it is NOT required to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As an online portal of buying and selling gold, it is operating within applicable international and local e-commerce laws. Just like other booming online businesses from around the globe which have set up online shops to advance their products, goods and services.
Have you wondered why the governments of Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan and many other countries have allowed Emgoldex to thrive and help its clients become financially independent?
Has it ever crossed your minds, that maybe, Emgoldex is a different networking company from others whom you have compared to and which have collapsed in the past?
Have you allowed any hint that maybe there could be more positive aspects to this story that you are potentially missing?
Have you taken a pause and asked yourselves, "Wait a minute, why are so many claiming to have earned P180,000 pesos? How true are their claims? "
The challenge for you is how you will act moving forward. The damage has been done. You have hurt thousands of hard working people and their families who have benefited and are continuing to benefit from the rewards and bonuses from Emgoldex.
A sign of professional and responsible journalism is the ability to hold yourselves accountable. When you commit errors, which to me you did, you must correct them and your expressions of regret must be sincere.
Under these circumstances, you should provide remedies when you are unfair.
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Credits to the rightful owner
