REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA
THE National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) lately acknowledged Rep. Antonio Cerilles’ helping move in stalling the passage of the Right of Reply (ROR) Bill in the House of Representatives.
The pending ROR Bills are both contained in Senate Bill No. 2150 and House Bill No. 3306, also known as “An Act Granting The Right Of Reply And Providing Penalties In Violation Thereof.”
In an open letter distributed to its entire chapter-members ’forums signed by NUJP vice chair Nonoy Espina and secretary-general Sonny Fernandez, the NUJP hierarchy mentioned Cerilles’ part in “exposing ROR’s unconstitutionality.”
Cited along with the congressman from Zambosur’s second district are fellow Representatives Raymond Patalino of Kabataan Partylist, and Teddy Casiño and Neri Colmenares of Bayan Muna.
NUJP was referring to June 2’s Congress session wherein only 110 of 265 congressmen were present but an attempt to railroad the ROR was observed.
“As with the previous sessions, proponents of the bill, most notably one of its principal authors Rep. Bienvenido Abante, have been insistently pushing that the Reply Bill be voted on and ultimately approved,” NUJP said in its letter.
“Interpellations and statements from our allies in the House, like Representatives Raymond Palatino, Teddy Casiño and Neri Colmenares, and Antonio Cerilles, helped not only to stall the bill on the plenary but also to expose the bill’s unconstitutionality,” the letter added.
“It is in light of this that we are enjoining all media outfits and organizations to mobilize their members…to register our collective opposition not only to the bill but also to the attempts by lawmakers to railroad the passage of the bill,” NUJP then urged.
“We also encourage the continued release of statements, news articles, and editorials, as well as sustained TV and radio coverage, as our expression of uncompromising position towards the junking of the Reply bill.
Meanwhile, a position paper circulated by NUJP stated the media organization’s unified statement on the ROR Bill.
“The Right of Reply Bill is an ill-conceived piece of legislation that violates two of the most cherished freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, those of the press and of expression,” it said.
“It is both unfortunate and ironic that the principal authors of the bill in the two chambers of Congress ought to have known better, Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. having earned his reputation as a champion of civil rights and Bacolod Representative Monico Puentevella having been president of the Negros Press Club.”
“It is also clear, from the pronouncements of both lawmakers, that this bill is a product of the sorriest excuse for legislation – personal pique.”
The NUJP added that the danger in the ROR Bill comes when “it would legislate what the media ought to publish or air, while casting a chilling effect that could dissuade the more timorous from publishing or airing what they should.”
“The bills would free public officials, especially the corrupt – and they are legion – of accountability and give them carte blanche to force their lies on the suffering public,” the position paper stressed.
“We would be the last to say that the Philippine media are without fault. Yes, we understand perfectly the frustration and anger of Pimentel and Puentevella over some media outlet's refusal to air their sides on issues,” it added.
“Alas, but we cannot allow the sins of the few to be an excuse for the wholesale muzzling of a free press and the suppression of free expression. To do so would allow bad governance to triumph.”
“We call on Senator Pimentel and Representative Puentevella to withdraw their bills. We urge the media and the people to close ranks against the passage of this bill, to challenge it before the Supreme Court if it is passed, and, if even that fails, to defy it by refusing to comply. No less than our freedoms are at stake. This is a battle we cannot afford to lose.”
As of this writing, concerned media groups and other journalists nationwide have signified their opposition to the ROR Bill saying the bill has negative repercussions on the workings of the free press.
Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Malacañang has stood pat on its earlier decision that it would not support a bill that would infringe of the freedom of speech and of the press.
For his part, House Speaker Prospero Nograles said concerned media entities may submit recommendations on the ROR Bill so that Congress “can craft a measure that is acceptable and fair to all parties.” WITH REPORT BY PJAMES TREMEDAL
THE National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) lately acknowledged Rep. Antonio Cerilles’ helping move in stalling the passage of the Right of Reply (ROR) Bill in the House of Representatives.
The pending ROR Bills are both contained in Senate Bill No. 2150 and House Bill No. 3306, also known as “An Act Granting The Right Of Reply And Providing Penalties In Violation Thereof.”
In an open letter distributed to its entire chapter-members ’forums signed by NUJP vice chair Nonoy Espina and secretary-general Sonny Fernandez, the NUJP hierarchy mentioned Cerilles’ part in “exposing ROR’s unconstitutionality.”
Cited along with the congressman from Zambosur’s second district are fellow Representatives Raymond Patalino of Kabataan Partylist, and Teddy Casiño and Neri Colmenares of Bayan Muna.
NUJP was referring to June 2’s Congress session wherein only 110 of 265 congressmen were present but an attempt to railroad the ROR was observed.
“As with the previous sessions, proponents of the bill, most notably one of its principal authors Rep. Bienvenido Abante, have been insistently pushing that the Reply Bill be voted on and ultimately approved,” NUJP said in its letter.
“Interpellations and statements from our allies in the House, like Representatives Raymond Palatino, Teddy Casiño and Neri Colmenares, and Antonio Cerilles, helped not only to stall the bill on the plenary but also to expose the bill’s unconstitutionality,” the letter added.
“It is in light of this that we are enjoining all media outfits and organizations to mobilize their members…to register our collective opposition not only to the bill but also to the attempts by lawmakers to railroad the passage of the bill,” NUJP then urged.
“We also encourage the continued release of statements, news articles, and editorials, as well as sustained TV and radio coverage, as our expression of uncompromising position towards the junking of the Reply bill.
Meanwhile, a position paper circulated by NUJP stated the media organization’s unified statement on the ROR Bill.
“The Right of Reply Bill is an ill-conceived piece of legislation that violates two of the most cherished freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, those of the press and of expression,” it said.
“It is both unfortunate and ironic that the principal authors of the bill in the two chambers of Congress ought to have known better, Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. having earned his reputation as a champion of civil rights and Bacolod Representative Monico Puentevella having been president of the Negros Press Club.”
“It is also clear, from the pronouncements of both lawmakers, that this bill is a product of the sorriest excuse for legislation – personal pique.”
The NUJP added that the danger in the ROR Bill comes when “it would legislate what the media ought to publish or air, while casting a chilling effect that could dissuade the more timorous from publishing or airing what they should.”
“The bills would free public officials, especially the corrupt – and they are legion – of accountability and give them carte blanche to force their lies on the suffering public,” the position paper stressed.
“We would be the last to say that the Philippine media are without fault. Yes, we understand perfectly the frustration and anger of Pimentel and Puentevella over some media outlet's refusal to air their sides on issues,” it added.
“Alas, but we cannot allow the sins of the few to be an excuse for the wholesale muzzling of a free press and the suppression of free expression. To do so would allow bad governance to triumph.”
“We call on Senator Pimentel and Representative Puentevella to withdraw their bills. We urge the media and the people to close ranks against the passage of this bill, to challenge it before the Supreme Court if it is passed, and, if even that fails, to defy it by refusing to comply. No less than our freedoms are at stake. This is a battle we cannot afford to lose.”
As of this writing, concerned media groups and other journalists nationwide have signified their opposition to the ROR Bill saying the bill has negative repercussions on the workings of the free press.
Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Malacañang has stood pat on its earlier decision that it would not support a bill that would infringe of the freedom of speech and of the press.
For his part, House Speaker Prospero Nograles said concerned media entities may submit recommendations on the ROR Bill so that Congress “can craft a measure that is acceptable and fair to all parties.” WITH REPORT BY PJAMES TREMEDAL