IN Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales’ interview, he charged that ABS-CBN 2 violated the Code of Ethics and its franchise with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) when it released an interview of MILF Commander Bravo. Bravo is wanted by the law. The Philippine Army and the PNP are out there in Mindanao, trying to arrest the elusive commander.
My good friend, George Carino (who’s a brilliant journalist and hails from Bulacan) traced the whereabouts of Bravo and interviewed him. I saw his interview. And I found nothing wrong. I would agree with my professor, Luis Teodoro, that ABS-CBN 2 violated no law.
Jun Nicdao of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) also found nothing wrong with the interview. As a former journalist myself, I saw nothing that would merit a sanction against ABS-CBN.
What instigated IN Justice secretary Raul Gonzales?
Gonzales said that ABS-CBN violated its franchise when it gave air space to a known fugitive. He said that Bravo used ABS-CBN to “instigate” fellow Muslims to “foment violence or the use of arms”.
Where? Where in the interview did Bravo actually tell his fellow Muslims that they need to raise up arms against the government? I never saw nor heard anything similar to what (in)Justice secretary Gonzales referred to as “instigations”? Am I dreaming or Mr. Gonzales is just hallucinating?
Gonzales’ acts are plain and simple muscle flexings. Government is trying to frighten one of the biggest media networks in the land for one goal–neutralize or marginalize media outlets. Why? Is government laying the ground for martial rule? My mother told me that this is the same tactic employed by the dictator Marcos a year or two before he implemented martial rule. History shows that media was the first one neutralized, second were civil society and people’s organisations, and lastly, progressive middle class groups.
Like Goebbels, Gonzales is now acting as the self-appointed hatchet man of Gloria. Her gang of misfits, those fascists in barongs, seemed hell-bent to extend the evil rule of their puny benefactor.
The question we all should ask ourselves is—do we allow this evil regime to continue its rule?
Popularity: 1% [?]
mr. mangubat,
what is this ridiculous thing you’re trying to spread in here? like mr. djb, ding, jester and mr. marocharim, you’re frightening the people with this “anti-media’ bogey of yours.
there is no attempt whatsoever by government to impose martial rule. have’nt you people ever thought that even if government desires to have martial rule, it would only be done through charter change?
you are as sick as your friends here.
whoa whoa the animosity! and here i was trying to mediate? :D
HPoS.
Interesting how you have lumped us all in one box. Speaking only for myself on this thread by Pat, have you read anything from me on the government of the day being “anti media”? Have I warned people about martial law? You know the difference between ML and emergency rule,assuming you are who you claim you are, right!!!???
Tipos, I mean THOS,
You see, we’re not spreading anything malicious about this lovely government of yours. In fact, we’re just analyzing what’s out there. And being responsible netizens, which obviously you’re not one of us, we write about the truth, unlike you who happens to close his eyes on the real situation that’s happening around you.
I’m sick and tired of all these things you’re spreading around here. Quite frankly, your vitriol is nothing but a middle-aged man’s way of jerking off. I mean, come on! If you and those cultist members of Gloria’s tribe continues to do stupid stuff, we, in the blogosphere, will also continue writing about it.
I would suggest that instead of marochim, you engage me in a debate. Anytime, anywhere, and any topic that you like. It’s really my fetish bringing down fascists like you.
In fact, some years back, fascists and their aspiring members cringed at the sight of hundreds of Patriotic Filipinos at the doorsteps of your Bastille. Were it not for the pleas of your master, the People’s Justice should have been installed at the very seat of Power.
And down you will,you who claim to be the High Priest of Shit, err, Smokes. I’ll make you worship the People, instead of those mafiosi whom you continually profess to idolize rather us, your true masters.
So, get ready with your so-called “pack of Slims”. A debate with you would only cost me half a stick of Winston Lights. Or, probably, just one Storck candy? Hehehehe!
Jester, could you please facilitate my debate with this Gloria sucking priest? Thanks bro!
By the way, Tipos, er THPOS,
Smoke, whom you say is a “mister”, is actually a “miss”. (and probably a lovely one at that). So, I’m doing this not only to defend her but also on behalf of those whom you so recklessly accused in this site.
(Pahabol pa, hehehe!)
your post may just be a reminder, people appreciate that, i appreciate that, but your ‘ready’ judgment to declare that ABS-CBN violated no law nor any rule in journalism ethics clearly comes from your hatred and animosity towards Sec. Gonzales & the current administration.
the matter, has been brought by DOJ & NTC to the KBP, as to whether or not there have been violations committed. its up to the KBP, as the proper venue to review these cases, if they see that there is merit in Sec Gonzales’ assertions.
categorically absolving abs-cbn pre-empts the KBP’s capability to take a look and make recommendations on this matter
press freedom, on a national level, is still very strong in this country, on a local level though lies the problem..
liam,
kbp already gave their “judgment” and they found nothing wrong nor violative of the Code of Ethics. The head of the KBP already said that.
can i have a link to that?
many thanks
It doesn’t have to take an out right and blatant declaration of martial law to have freedom of speech, expression trampled with. Remember that EO debacle post People Power a few years back?
As for Sec. Gonzales, it is plain and obvious to anyone on whose side he is. He’s the attack dog of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Has been for years. When his master says, jump. he does. bark? he does it. bite? duh?
That’s his job. plain and simple.
Is there anything wrong with that? no. That’s not to say, he’s right either.
Interviewing a known terrorist is walking on a tight rope. i’ve always felt people shouldn’t give those bastards the time of day. So i disagree that it is in some search of truth that the public will benefit from. It is also not to say there was some violation of ethics. Then again, the same can be said about reporting things Gonzales does. Or Gloria Arroyo.
kahit na sabihin na iba ang MILF sa ASG di pa ba nadala ang ABS sa mga ganitong situation,pasalamat sila nakauwi ng buong buo si Ces Drilon.
Kung sino man ang kumidnap,same risks same attempt to give the people its right to information.
===============================
digressing.
liam,
di ba taga davao ka, totoo bang pinagbintangan ni Duterte si Dureza ng isang bagay na hindi ko na babanggitin dahil ito ay masyadong karumaldumal???
if it is too big a risk to dignify me with an answer,I would understand.
Just setting an example as to the boundaries of access to information.
i would be willing to set one up, pat, but then there are no guarantees that THPoS will show.
he has not faced-off with marocharim and he has been accused (whether unfairly or otherwise) cowardice.
i don’t know what to think yet — i am still fairly confident that a lawyer of caliber would not be unwilling to engage in such a face off.
(aside: i heard a UP lawyer say that it would betray incompetence for a lawyer not to engage in a debate in a common forum; a lawyer who cannot square off with an opponent in the same forum is, as i was told, good for nothing but notarizing documents.)
maybe he is just busy. this is why i haven’t reverted my codes on my blog yet, in case he will show marocharim up.
Jester,
Well, my offer still stands. We could probably set it up here at FV. Ask Nick how to do it.
Let us expose the absurdity of his arguments before the world. Let us show our People that, in this part of the world, a group of bloggers are standing up against fascists like HPOS.
A second challenge, this IS getting exciting.
DOJ Sec. is not interested in upholding the Law. The First Gentleman, like Marcos before him, WANTS to own ABSCBN and Meralco. DOJ Sec, with a hole in his head is just a running dog of the guy with a hole in his heart and the gal with mole on her soul. the Two Fleas present here mean nothing, yip yapping for their fascist masters.
We should focus our attention on the dogs n bitches and not the fleas.
djb,
agree. let’s just buy some pesticide and kill these fleas.
for now, down with the fascist pigs!
We can afford to be humble. They cannot.
We can afford to be logical. They cannot.
We can afford to be cool. They cannot.
Time and History is on our side. Not on theirs.
We have nothing to fear. They have nothing but.
Honesty is not weakness. It is strength.
They are protecting criminals and tyrants. We are not.
They are doomed to fail. We can only succeed.
They are drunk with power. That makes them weak.
We are only bloggers. That makes us strong.
Our treasure is the Truth. They are merely intellectually dishonest.
They are just fleas whose sleep is filled with the dreams of fleas.
Theirs is a cabal of evil.
Ours is an Aristocracy of the Mind.
Patricio’s mom is right. Right now only the fourth estate is still relatively free (except for the scalawags out there practicing “envelopmental journalism”).
I was just remarking to younger friends (I must be older than you guys because I do not need my mom to tell me how it was, and even if I was only 7 when Martial Law was imposed, I spent all my years growing up feeling this palpable fear in the air).
Just so you know, right now we are already under Martial Law-like conditions — read up on recent history. The military men are in civilian positions of power like those retired generals in the Cabinet, the legislature is again an Old Boys Club of a few hundred men and in the Presidential pockets, as is our judiciary, with a Supreme Court that manages to reverse itself wherever the political winds blow (check points are unconstitutional, check points are constitutional, constructive resignation), mayor and governor warlords, oligarchic monopolies of basic services like light, water, roads, properties (they must have played the board game).
And that little girl called Gloria, is very bright, following Marcos’s blueprint. For the power is derived from the Filipino’s apathy, ignorance, fear, opportunism and misplaced loyalties. She, like Marcos before her, knows the Filipino psyche.
The only thing missing is that the writ of habeas corpus hasn’t been suspended — YET — but, in its stead, journalists and dissenters have been disappearing left and right.
In my opinion, Raul Gonzales has never been known, not has earned, any position for his brilliance — just his loyalty.
And the Lopezes, ah the Lopezes, they never learn. In their eagerness to restore their pre-Martial Law stature, they’re committing the same mistake of being too economically powerful.
My two cents’ worth.
lisa, your simplistic generalization is disingenuous and not worth an inflated two-cents. people like you only believe in the courts, and praise them to high heavens when they decide a case according to your your wishes, as when sc ruled against the government re e.o. 464 or moa-ad, or in favor of so-called batasan 5. press freedom has never been at its best – just watch abs-cbn broadcasts or read pdi, among others.
what’s wrong with former military officers holding public office if they are qualified? eisenhower, alexander haig, john mccain (even john kerry, among so many, were former military men.
and you call your president “little girl”? i bet you cannot hold a candle to her in every measure. disappearing journalists? what makes you so cocksure that the government has anything to do with them? in a country where heinous criminals will kill for a few thousand pesos, even “journalists”, who are no angels themselves, can be kidnapped, murdered or beheaded. only simple minds will easily swallow unsubstantiated propaganda – hook, line and sinker.
“people like you only believe in the courts, and praise them to high heavens when they decide a case according to your your wishes”
talk about simplistic generalizations.
a supreme court, as the ultimate interpreter of the constitution, has no business reversing itself.
pity on you who believe in the little girl, who happens to be my aunt, hook line and sinker. only simpler minds will swallow government propaganda.
oh, she’s your aunt and you call her “little girl”? does that give you the right to disrespect her? that says a lot about what kind of a person you are or the parents that raised you, not about the president.
sc “has no business reversing itself”? WRONG. it can, that’s why there’s there such a thing as a “motion for reconsideration/re-open, or when there’s a new majority or unanimous opinion in a subsequent case. i think this subject is way above your head, out of your league.
Lisa,
Bencard is quite right about the Supreme Court. Any Supreme Court can reverse or modify any past Supreme Court’s decision, under the right circumstances. But don’t be intimidated by Bencard. He only just learnt this principle quite recently. Non lawyers taught it to him, though he will never admit it.
Sorry, dear boy.
Freedom of speech allows me to call her anything I want, especially if it is the truth. She is literally little and she is a girl. Hahaha. Would you prefer I called her a bitch?
Next, I think my education in UP Law allows me to know whereof I speak. The Supreme Court reversed itself not on the checkpoint issue not on Motion for Reconsideration but in a separate decision altogether. Do your research. And know that I know my remedial law.
Now, I find that I haven’t said anything in my original comment to warrant a personal attack from someone like you. From someone who actually believes that the disappearance of targeted media men could be merely a series of random criminal acts.
And I will not disrespect this site further by bickering with someone who has not made a single pertinent comment regarding this article, except to react viciously and institute an unprovoked personal attack to commenter.
If you cannot grasp something very well, I suggest you keep your mouth shut lest others get a glimpse into that that empty space between your ears.
And I will stop dignifying you with anymore reactions. You are so not in MY league, sorry.
Oh DJB,
My last comment was for BenCarb! You and I must have pressed submit comment simultaneously. I should have addressed my last comment to him. Didn’t think anyone else was listening.
But you do see my original point, don’t you, about the Martial Law-like conditions? It was not so much about the Supreme Court’s ability to reverse itself but on the Supreme Court’s being less and less of an independent and credible branch of government.
And DJB,
I so agree with your comment “DOJ Sec. is not interested in upholding the Law. The First Gentleman, like Marcos before him, WANTS to own ABSCBN and Meralco.”
Same story, almost three decades later… I wish the younger generation would find similarities glaring.
I was so afraid that when the 5-star firecracker went off in a trash can in the Malacanang Gardens that it was going to be a la the feigned “Enrile” ambush that brought Marial Law on.
Lisa,
I never take anything personally on these threads, even when they are intended, because one never knows the others’ real intentions. It’s hard to judge anyway, given the nature of the genre (no eye contact, or audible voices). So I try not to. I try to take all points for what they are worth, as we learn the most from those who disagree. But of course as you can see, we should all be willing to take as much as we give. Thanks : )
“justice” bocobo has spoken. he decides who is right and who is wrong about law. you see, he taught me everything i know about law, including constitutional law. such a presumptuous pretender.
ask mlq3, abe margallo and jaxius (wherever he is now). i just recently straightened you, djb, on the subject in connection with your bone-headed post on the “rule of law” – a pretentious but unrealistically ambitious piece of writing.
yeah, madame lisa. i guess “freedom of speech” gives you the right to call even your own mother a “bitch”. you’re a law graduate? you could have fooled me. read again what you originally posted. “the supreme court, as the ultimate interpreter of the constitution, has no business reversing itself”. now you are saying sc reversed itself, not on a motion for recon but “in a separate decision”. there’s something seriously wrong about both your cognitive and reasoning faculties, old girl.
btw, this is the first time i saw your name here. fyi, whenever you post anything here, it’s an open target for criticism, correction or rebuttal regardless of who you specifically address it to. so, you had better be able to defend it intelligently. there’s no drive-by shooting here.
no thanks for your suggestion for me to “shut up”. i call it as i see it. i don’t know you and you don’t know me. i just know that your comment is DUMB.
btw, lisa, considering your “education at u.p. law”, how do you relish being condescendingly lectured at by djb on the power of sc to reverse itself (after saying even “non-lawyers” like him know what i told you about it)?
Takot ako sumingit baka ako mamura. But I was struck by Lisa’s reference to “martial law conditions.” Let’s not go overboard, madam. I reason we are all still here pummeling each other at FV is because the media platforms, MSM or emergent,are still flouring, pimples and all.
There’s intimidation sure but that’s par for the course. What we must not lose hold of it civility and a healthy respect for the other perspectives. Was is Voltaire who said “I mat not agree with you, but I will defend your right to say it to the death.”?