This is a setback for us but this will not deter us from doing our job of bringing to the public the truth.
By Julie M. Aurelio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Makati City court Thursday denied a media petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO) barring officials from arresting journalists during crisis situations such as last November’s standoff at the Manila Peninsula hotel.
Journalists from various news organizations filed last month separate petitions seeking to restrain the government from arresting or threatening journalists with arrest.
But Laigo pointed out that “threats” like the Department of Justice’s (DoJ) advisory to media networks and press groups would not “forbid” journalists from carrying out their tasks.
Such public pronouncements, he said, are not in the nature of rules or regulations curtailing freedom of speech since “there is nothing therein which would forbid the plaintiffs from discharging their usual tasks by covering and making reports.”
Named respondents in the petition were Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Armed Forces chief of staff General Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Avelino Razon Jr., PNP National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Geary Barias and PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) head Chief Superintendent Asher Dolina.
On January 29, Makati City executive judge Winlove Dumayas issued a three-day TRO in favor of the plaintiffs.
The case was then raffled off to Laigo, leaving the judge to decide on the petition for a preliminary injunction.
The petitioners included Malaya columnist Ellen Tordesillas, GMA 7 reporters Jessica Soho, Maki Pulido, Michael Fajatin and Rawnna Crisostomo.
In his order, Laigo cited the affidavits of petitioners Tordesillas, Vergel Santos, Charmaine Deogracias and Ashzel Hachero, which sought to show public warnings such as the DoJ advisory warning media networks they could be held criminally liable if reporters would “disobey lawful orders” during crisis situations, would prevent journalists from performing their jobs.
Laigo said even the concurrence of Razon and Esperon with the advisory would not prevent journalists from covering such events.
On November 29, more than 50 journalists were rounded up after authorities ended the Manila Peninsula standoff and brought to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City along with Senator Antonio Trillanes and Brigadier General Danilo Lim, who led renegade soldiers in occupying the hotel where they called for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s ouster.
Media groups raised concern over what they said was the chilling effect of the government’s warnings, claiming such statements infringed on press freedom.
Tanong diyan, Ellen, magkano ang binayad ni Gloria Dorobo sa judge na iyan. Pwe! Ang linaw-linaw na may abuse and injustice, binasura ang habla na hindi pa man pinakikinggan.
Nakakasuka!
Para talagang wala ng ibang recourse ang mga tao pagdating sa mga pangaabuso ng mga dorobo. Nakakasuka na!
Morethan 8-years na Kgg. Broadbandido na nakikipagpatintero ang Masang Pilipino sa rehimeng Pidalismo, remember bro!
Recently lang kumalas ang karamihan sa PRO-GMA civil society and most of silent majority sabi nila, but ang Masang Pilipino who stand and fighting for the restoration of real democracy in our nation eh 2001 pa nakikipagbunong- braso sa gobyernong ito.
Look at them, like JDV and other concerned Pinoy namamangka pa sa dalawang ilog either mapa-Pidalismo o kaya oposisyon.
Better to patch up muna ang differences ng bawat sektor at pag-usapan ng masinsinan ang pagkakaisa nga Masang Pilipino bago gumawa ng isa muling hakbang sapagka’t nakikini-kinita ko na walang mangyayari sa labang ito.
Hangga’t mayroong reservation ang mga nagnanais ng pagbabago sa ating bansa, eh kailangan munang baguhin nila ang kanilang mga sarili at paninindigan.
Marami ang gumagamit sa tunay laban, kita mo kung papaano makisakay ang iba diyan after that di na tayo kilala.
Well, it looks like to each his own. Or better have a partner always and watch each other’s back. I guess, the judge watched the same movies I saw about correspondents in war zones and rebel areas use guts to survive and come out with news scoops. No amount of TROs or badges could cushion them from becoming crossfire victims.
Sa dorobo regime, pera-pera lang talaga ang labanan. To hell with priciple. Anong klaseng pagpapalaki ba ng mga magulang ang ginawa sa mga hinayupak na mga ito at ganito ang tubo.
Ang problema pa, yun din ang kalalakihan ng mga anak nila kaya parami sila ng parami.
Panahon na talaga para tapusin ang mapang-aping rehimen ng mga dorobo at ikulong lahat sila.
Re: “But Laigo pointed out that “threats” like the Department of Justice’s (DoJ) advisory to media networks and press groups would not “forbid” journalists from carrying out their tasks.”
So, what happens now? What does “would not “forbid” journalists” etc. actually mea.
Ang gulo naman!
Ay sus Mariano garapon, don’t tell me na itinaon pa nila sa malakihang rally bukas (Friday, February 15, 2008)ang pagbasura ng TRO laban sa pagaresto ng mga media practitoners (in doing their job for public interest and in the pursuit of truth)! Bakit may binabalak ba silang gawin laban sa mga rallyista? Siguro may naamoy na panganib ang dorobo clan kaya umandar na naman ang makinarya ng panggugulang sa mga mamayan. Wawa naman tayo… kita kits na lang tayo bukas sa Ayala.
Ilang brown bags ng pera kaya ang lagay kay Laigo?!
The judge decision is expected. The Philippine justice system is essentially letting on the crime first and let the slow justice come in. It is rare to be on side of preventing crime.
Halos lahat ng judiciary natin ay corrupted na rin. For sure the DOROBO is taking notes. This judge will get his wish! A better bench! These judges are following their leader! CORRUPT as ever!
Mukhang ang timbangan na hawak ni Lady Justice sinusukat kung kaninong side ang mas malaki ang lagay..at hindi siya nakablindfold..dilat at nakatutok ang mata at hawak ang magnifying glass…yon ang justice ngayon..
corrupt here, dorobo there, so kung wala tayong pagkakatiwalaan sa kahit kaninuman – who do we task to take care of disputes? who? kung di ang pulis, di ang mga hukom, sino? ang senado?
one problem with us is
a) PURO tayo reklamo – bakit kaya di solusyon sa problema ang pagdiskusyonan natin?
b) PURO tayo walang tiwala sa mga institusyon natin – same argument – kundi Pulis ang manghuhuli – e sino? barangay tanod? si Cayetano? sino? sinong dapat pagkatiwalaan? mga pari? ang mga prayle? ang obispo ba ang dapat manghuli?
c) PURO tayo bintang – nasaan ang katunayan? nasa sabi sabi lang ba? nasaan ang paper trail? nasaan ang mga litrato? nasaan ang mga video coverage? so far ang pinakamalalang coverage na nakita ko is si Erap, habang presidente siya – na naglalaro sa Casino kasama si Atong Ang. Nasaan na ang whitle blower noon na si Bentain? PATAY NA.