Three’s a Crowd: Aksyon Tonite Becomes a Three-Anchor Team

October 24, 2016

Looks like the solo anchor setup on Aksyon newscasts is not working for News5.

Last Monday, News5 decided to once again revamp Aksyon Tonite, adding erstwhile weather reporters Lia Cruz and Marga Vargas to the newscast alongside Ed Lingao. Both Lia and Marga were intended to be ‘anchors in training’ as far as News5 is concerned.

This marked the first time that Aksyon Tonite went with a three-anchor setup. Past lineups of the newscast featured either a two-anchor setup (Paolo Bediones/Ed Lingao and Cheryl Cosim) or a solo anchor setup (Ed Lingao).

The reaction to the move was mostly negative. They argued that Lia and Marga were the latest in a line of ‘entertainers masquerading as journalists’ (EMAJ), as the two lacked any journalistic background owing to their past experience as sports reporters (Lia for Solar Sports, Marga for ABC-5).

While Lia and Marga’s addition to Aksyon Tonite serves to develop the two into well-rounded journalists, it is clear that News5 is once again dooming themselves with these questionable moves. A rundown of other late primetime newscasts on major privately-owned networks should show the foolishness of News5’s decision.


 * Bandila (ABS-CBN) – Ces Drilon, Julius Babao, Karen Davila
 * Saksi (GMA) – Arnold Clavio, Pia Arcangel
 * PTV News (PTV) – Anthony Pangilinan, Ria Fernandez, Charmaine Espina
 * News Team 13 (IBC) – Jay Sonza, Amelyn Veloso
 * NewsWatch (RPN) – Erik Espina, Cristina Peczon, Francisco Colayco
 * Newsroom (CNN Philippines) – Mitzi Borromeo
 * State of the Nation (GMA News TV) – Jessica Soho
 * World Report (Net 25) – Alma Angeles, Sam Cepeda
 * Why News (UNTV News and Rescue) – Gerry Alcantara, Darlene Basingan, Diego Castro III
 * Headline 33 (ZTV) – Hannah Cabanban, Gerry Cornejo
 * Lingkod Balita (BEAM) – Joy Garcia
 * The World Tonight (ANC) – Tina Monzon-Palma

The list above shows that all listed anchors are indeed legitimate journalists. Too bad for News5 and its head Luchi Cruz-Valdes.

Going down the EMAJ route just to revamp Aksyon Tonite should serve as a way to destroy its once-credible aura. When the newscast was anchored by Cheryl Cosim and Ed Lingao, many praised it for its emphasis on hard news, which helped restore its credibility that was lost during Paolo Bediones’ time.

Now that they promoted Lia Cruz and Marga Vargas to serve alongside Ed Lingao, expect that praise to turn against Aksyon Tonite. They may be added just to gain experience, but unless they grow and learn quickly, they might become the next Menchu Macapagal or Hillary Isaac.