The battle for a clean TV ratings continues as two more witnesses from the remote station of GMA network in Bacolod, Negros Occidental came out to back up their claims on the alleged ratings anomaly.
On Thursday, January 24, former RGMA Bacolod program director Donard Duane L. Nojas appeared on TV Patrol World to tell his account of the alleged manipulations conducted by RGMA Bacolod to boost its radio and TV ratings.
He even said that RGMA hired Toto Aliguin, another ABS-CBN witness who revealed his identity in public, and others to scout for members of AGB Nielsen panel homes and bribe them to faithfully tune in to GMA-7 programs.
In addition, during the taped interview aired in The Buzz yesterday, January 27, Nojas claimed, "I can speak for the radio ng GMA [network], yung manipulation is an ordinary business na 'yan, e. And during service, we are tasked to do that at all cost para lang maiangat ang ratings ng Super Radyo. Gawin lahat [kahit] anong klaseng manipulation."
The former RGMA employee also revealed that a high-ranking official of GMA network ordered the alleged manipulation of ratings. He said, "Katulad sa akin, I was receiving orders from our vice president."
The following day, January 25, a retired employee of RGMA Bacolod approached ABS-CBN to say his piece about the ongoing ratings issue between the two giant networks, ABS-CBN and GMA-7.
Former RGMA Bacolod station manager Fred Alejaga revealed that the alleged manipulation was actually a top secret among the higher officials of RGMA. The people involved in the said manipulation were not allowed to divulge this to their colleagues.
Alejaga explained, "Compartmentalized. Hindi dapat sinasabi... kasi top secret itong ginagawang ito, top secret. Hindi mo puwedeng sabihin sa lower echelon baka mag-leak. Sinasabi, 'You must be careful na hindi kayo mahuli 'tsaka hanapin mo ang headquarters.' At saka yung other detailed trabaho, sa level lang namin 'yon."
The retired employee also said that although they knew that it was unethical, they could not resist the alleged manipulation order because they might lose the advertiser if it did not fare well in the ratings game.
He said, "Tayo ang pinapakinggan ng tao pero matalo tayo in one week's time kung hindi tayo marunong during survey time. Masama nga sana, pero wala kang magawa. Kung hindi ka sumasabay sa ganyang gawain ay mawalan ka ng pera, wala kang advertisement. Kasi 'yong bible ng advertiser 'yong survey results, e."
Alejaga clarified that he did not come out to damage the reputation of GMA network. He said that he just hopes that the truth about the ratings controversy would come out.
He added, "Itong mga nangyayari, it is a blessing in disguise na ma-correction na itong report na hindi manipulated. Kawawa naman yung advertiser."
Alejaga worked for RGMA starting August 2004. He resigned on February 2007.
Meanwhile, GMA Network already denied these allegations earlier through a statement sent by RGMA president Miguel Enriquez.
The letter said, "Our radio stations continuously conduct promotional activities, all of which are announced heavily on air and are conducted openly. Several promotional activities are conducted in cooperation with some of the most prestigious advertisers and advertising agencies in the country.
"RGMA will continue its legitimate radio promotional activities especially because they add to the enjoyment and listening pleasure of our listeners."
Nojas, according to GMA-7, was terminated from his job "for violation of company policies, serious misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and loss of confidence."
GMA-7 also said that Nojas was found guilty of sexual harassment during his stint as program director. In addition, he was also discovered to have anchored for a rival station, a clear breach of company policies.