Media seeks access to Trillanes

Members of media have filed a petition before Presiding Judge Oscar Pimentel of the Makati Regional Trial Court to be allowed to interview former Lt (s.g.) Antonio F. Trillanes IV, a senatorial candidate of the Genuine Opposition, who is currently detained at the Marine Brigade in Fort Bonifacio.

I signed the petition. There were about 20 names I saw in the petition last Wednesday and some of the names I remember are that of Conrad de Quiros of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Billy Esposo of the Philippine Star, Joy de los Reyes of Malaya, Chit Estella of the Philippine Journalism Review, and Booma Cruz of the Probe Team.

The petition states that Trillanes, being a candidate of the Genuine Opposition, his personal and political views are of importance to the public. It’s our role in media to convey that to the public to help them make an informed choice on Election Day.

We had to be the one to ask Judge Pimentel after he rejected Trillanes’ petition to allow reporters and other media practitioners access to him in his detention center last March 5 despite assurances he (Pimentel) made in an open court last Jan. 9.

In his reaction to Pimentel’s rejection, Trillanes said, “I believe with great faith that my motion was fair and reasonable. I am not asking that I be allowed to go out of my place of detention to campaign. I know my place and I will never ask for anything which would be unreasonable.”

Trillanes said no laws, rules or regulations will be broken, no public interest will be prejudiced, no government expense will be incurred, and no aspect of security would be compromised in his meeting with media.

GO Spokesman Adel Tamano last Wednesday made the same appeal. “Surely Trillanes’ security cannot be compromised by a press interview. His custodian is made of sterner stuff than those which can be threatened by camera-wielding newsmen.”

As to the fear that he may say something which will affect of the coup d’etat case against him and the Magdalo officers involved in the so-called Oakwood mutiny in July 2003, Trillanes said, it’s “unfounded.”

“I have never said anything in the numerous media statements and interviews I have given in the past which would even remotely affect the case. I assure the Honorable Court that I have no intentions of discussing the merits of the cases against me.

“I am running for the position of Senator of the Republic, not for personal vainglory but out of my sincere desire to continue the advocacies we fought for at Oakwood and to be of service to our people.”

Tamano said the denial of media access “clearly amounts to prior restraint, and censorship, both of which are frowned upon by the Constitution.”

Our petition is in line with the principle of leveling the playing field, which is essential if we have to achieve meaningful democracy.

As Trillanes said, “I am campaigning at a great disadvantage since I am under detention and I do not have very much by way of funds or resources. It is only through the help of relatives, friends and numerous volunteers that I am able to forge through with my campaign.”

The denial of media access is ironic because everybody talks about the need for voter education. Everybody complains about the lack of discussion on issues.

Here is one candidate who wants so much to discuss relevant issues Here is one candidate media wants to interview and we are not allowed to do so.

Tamano said Trillanes was included in the Genuine Opposition’s lineup because he adheres to the party’s “declared principles of transparency, accountability and good governance” and has pledged to “endeavor to eliminate lying, cheating and stealing.

We do not want to think that the media restriction on Trillanes, who has not been convicted of any crime, is part of the administration’s paranoia against those they feel would threaten their hold on power.