Media Harassment Mars Cebu Basketball Game
A routine sports coverage assignment turned into a distressing incident of alleged harassment and discrimination against a veteran journalist in Cebu. The event, which occurred on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at the Cebu City Sports Institute in Barangay Sawang-Calero, has ignited serious concerns about the treatment of media by local sports authorities.
Details of the Disturbing Incident
Sports Correspondent Glendale Rosal of Cebu Daily News Digital was covering the battle-for-third-place game between Richie Boy Ballers and Welec Trucking Service. According to reports, a staff member of the Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) engaged in unreasonable provocation and discriminatory behavior towards Rosal. The situation escalated when the staffer allegedly used a wheeled scoreboard to physically block Rosal's path, an act widely condemned as an abuse of authority.
The intervention of Rey Cañete, an official from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Region 7, was crucial in de-escalating the tense situation. Alarmingly, this was not an isolated event. Sources indicate a similar incident happened during the league's opening night, suggesting a troubling pattern of targeted animosity against the legitimate media practitioner, who has a track record in sports journalism dating back to 2009.
A Deeper Cultural Problem Within CCSC
Following the altercation, Rosal sought explanations from other CCSC officials. Their reported cold and dismissive response revealed a more profound institutional issue: a fundamental lack of respect for the media's role. This culture within the CCSC is now under intense scrutiny.
The Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists (CFBJ) has issued a strong statement calling for a comprehensive and transparent investigation. They demand answers as to why the staffer in question has been allowed to continue such aggressive conduct and insist that appropriate sanctions be imposed to serve as a lesson. The core message is clear: the media is not an adversary but a vital partner and bridge to the public for promoting sports programs and achievements.
The incident underscores a critical need for the CCSC to reform its internal culture and properly train its personnel on professional media engagement. The call is for accountability and a renewed commitment to the essential partnership between sports governance and the press in Cebu.
