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GMA owes the public an apology

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Baguio-Benguet supports the call for Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) to apologize in public for maligning the good reputation and integrity of ABS-CBNs anchor/reporter Julius Babao.

Earlier the ISAFP and Malacanang claimed that Babao posted bail for Dawud Santos, an alleged Abu Sayyaf member. Later on, the military intelligence group claimed that they observed Babao coaching Santos when his bail petition was heard and that Santos was taken away from detention in Camp Aguinaldo to an ABS-CBN van.

These allegations released to media before checking their so-called evidence clearly intends to impune and harass Babao. If Malacañang and its ISAFP had any evidence against Babao or ABS-CBN why haven’t they properly filed a case and given him due process?

For Malacañang and its ISAFP to have zeroed-in on an agent of the press who is respected and popular for his integrity and credibility as a journalist, and a representative of his news outfit: ABS-CBN; is a very clear intent to curtail press freedom and the freedom of expression.

These rights are self-executory in nature – they are to be implemented even without the enactment of laws for their implementation.The state and its military are mandated to protect these rights - press freedom and the freedom of expression- as enshrined in the Bill of Rights of the 1987 consitution.

The NUJP equally condemns DOJ (Department of Justice) Secretary Raul Gonzales who intiated moves that could abridge the freedom of the press and expression under the guise of anti-terorism. Sec. Gonzales drafted the administration’s anti-terrorism bill. His office is tasked to champion justice, and not be instrumental in introducing policies that will abridge peoples’ rights and freedoms.

Just recently, Sec. Gonzales prohibited Jomar Canlas, a reporter of the Manila Times, from covering his press conference. Such prohibition was an act that denies a working journalist leverage to information from government offices and officials. Much more, it is a denial to the public’s right to information with public interest.

For our national government leaders to figure in acts clearly unlawful and against the people’s basic rights and freedoms are terrorism. We urge the President, the military and the DOJ secretary to apologize to the people and make concrete steps to rectify, or step down from office. #

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