News Roundup 04 October 2022
Oct 04, 2022 • 6 min Read
Killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid draws wide condemnation | PHILSTAR.COM – The killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid in Las Piñas on Monday night drew wide condemnation, with some saying this is an attack on the right to free expression, a signal of worsening impunity and an indication that journalism is still a dangerous profession to practice in the Philippines. The brazen shooting of Lapid — or Percival Mabasa — is the second killing of a journalist under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., following the stabbing of broadcaster Rey Blanco in Negros Oriental in September, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines. Lapid was known for his stinging criticisms of the administrations of Marcos Jr. and former President Rodrigo Duterte. In the last broadcast of his “Lapid Fire” commentary program over radio DWBL 1242 on September 30, he discussed the dangers of red-tagging, among other political topics. The NUJP said Tuesday in a statement that Lapid’s killing is proof that “journalism remains a dangerous profession in the country.” “That the incident took place in Metro Manila indicates how brazen the perpetrators were, and how authorities have failed to protect journalists as well as ordinary citizens from harm,” it added. Alternative media network Altermidya said Lapid’s killing is “undoubtedly intended to intimidate journalists critical of the administration.” “More than sending a chilling effect among journalists, the killing of Lapid is also a signal to other citizens that no one is safe to express his opinion and demand public accountability from the government,” Altermidya said. It added: “It sends the message that the regime punishes any form of opposition, and that one is safe to exercise their basic right to free expression.”
SC issues show-cause order vs Badoy over posts on Manila judge | PHILSTAR.COM – The Supreme Court has ordered former Palace official Lorraine Badoy-Partosa to explain why she should not be cited in contempt of the court over her posts concerning Manila Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar. The SC in an en banc session on Tuesday issued a show-cause order against Badoy-Partosa. She was given 30 calendar days from receipt of resolution to submit her explanation on why she should not be cited in contempt of the judiciary and the high court. The SC Public Information Office said in a statement that Badoy should respond to the following issues under oath:
- Whether or not she posted or caused the posting of the statements attacking the September 21, 2022 Resolution rendered by the Regional Trial Court in Civil Case No. R MNL-18-00925-CV in any or all of her social media accounts;
- Whether or not her social media post encouraged more violent language against the judge concerned in any or all of her social media platforms;
- Whether or not her post, in the context of social media and in the experience of similar incendiary comments here or abroad, was a clear incitement to produce violent actions against a judge and is likely to produce such act; and
- Whether or not her statements on her social media accounts, implying violence on a judge, is part of her protected constitutional speech
The cited resolution is Judge Magdoza-Malagar’s decision to dismiss the Philippine government’s petition to judicially declare the Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army as terrorists. She held that the crimes alleged in the petition do not fall under terrorism as defined by the Human Security Act. The SC PIO added that it has noted statements from group of trial court judges HUKOM Inc., the Philippine Bar Association and the University of the Philippines College of Law faculty — all of whom have condemned and raised the alarm on Badoy-Partosa’s posts. It also said the tribunal has taken note of actions taken by the Office of the Court Administrator to ensure the safety and security of Judge Magdoza-Malagar, who has been subject of Badoy-Partosa’s online rants. The high court has initiated motu proprio (on its own) proceedings on the administrative matter against Badoy. It was first tackled by SC justices on September 27, when the SC also “sternly” warned “those who continue to incite violence through social media and other means which endanger the lives of judges and their families.”
‘Speaking the truth is dangerous’ in PH: Percy Lapid killing sparks condemnation | INQUIRER.NET – The killing of Percy Lapid, a broadcaster known for his hard-hitting criticism of government officials, sparked a torrent of condemnation from a union of journalists and other personalities. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) condemned the killing of the veteran commentator critical of former President Rodrigo Duterte and some government officials under the current chief executive. “The killing shows that journalism remains a dangerous profession in the country,” the NUJP said in a statement on Tuesday. “That the incident took place in Metro Manila indicates how brazen the perpetrators were, and how authorities have failed to protect journalists as well as ordinary citizens from harm,” they further said. Meanwhile, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV also lauded Lapid for “standing up for the truth.” “Your voice inspired Filipinos to stand up for what is right,” Trillanes said in a Twitter post on Tuesday. Former senatorial candidate David D’Angelo also said that Lapid’s murder proved that telling the truth in the country is “dangerous.” “Speaking the truth and fighting for what is right truly is dangerous in this country,” he said in a Facebook post on Tuesday. “You will continue to be an inspiration to those who stand for the truth.” Former Rep. Neri Colmenares said this incident shows that “impunity” in the country “is business as usual.” “It seems that impunity is business as usual. It continues to spill over from the spate of killings under the Duterte administration and now under the Marcos Jr. regime. “If we are to ensure the media’s role as the fourth estate of society, how can we do so if press freedom remains trampled upon,” Colmenares said in a statement on Tuesday. Colmenares also called this incident and the death of other media personnel “enraging.” “Speaking truth to power and fighting fake news are now met with bullets and death threats instead of admiration for standing up against injustices. “It’s only enraging to hear more deaths of media personnel who have fought tooth and nail to deliver the truth yet are rewarded with a cold gun barrel for their dedication,” he continued. NUJP noted that Lapid is the second journalist to be killed under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. administration after radio broadcaster Rey Blanco, who was stabbed to death in Mabinay, Negros Oriental last September.
