MANILA – The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) branded the quo warranto petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General against ABS-CBN before the Supreme Court as a “direct attack to press freedom.”
NUJP chairperson Nonoy Espina said in a television interview on Monday that the petition of Solicitor General Jose Calida only proves that the administration will do whatever it takes to shut down a network that the President doesn’t agree with.
“Ito’y nagpapatibay na talagang gagawin ng pamahalaang ito ang lahat para ipasara ang isang network na hindi sinasang-ayunan ng Pangulo. That is very, very dangerous to press freedom,” Espina said in an interview with CNN Philippines.
“Ang nakataya dito ay malayang pamamahayag. Kapag pinatahimik mo ang media, mas lalong kawawa ang taumbayan dahil mas lalo silang mawawalan ng pagkukuhanan ng impormasyon,” he added.
Espina said that ABS-CBN is “major source” of information that the public needs “to decide their futures” and shutting it down will shut off a huge source of ideas and information.
“It’s a huge disservice to the people,” he said. “The quo warranto petition and its implications are really a direct attack on freedom of the press, freedom of expression.”
“The move also implies that the government doesn’t really trust Congress to do its bidding and kill the franchise renewal bills,” he added. “If they can’t stop Congress from acting on the bill, then the quo warranto petition is the way to go to at least stop it.”
Meanwhile, members of the House of Representatives slammed Calida’s quo warranto petition against the ABS-CBN as usurpation of the functions of the Congress.
Deputy House Speaker Johnny Pimentel said in a statement that Congress has the exclusive power to grant or cancel any franchise and Calida’s move is already usurping the power of Congress.
“Congress has not yet even decided whether to renew or cancel the franchise,” Pimentel said. “The media outlet’s alleged violations should be tackled during the hearing of its franchise renewal by Congress.”
“The quo warranto has preempted the actions of Congress,” he added. “I hope that the Supreme Court will dismiss this case.”
Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, also called Calida’s move “an unwarranted approach on the exclusive power of Congress to grant, cancel or renew franchises” and “a direct assault on freedom of the press,”
“This violates the co-equal branch, a disrespect of the executive on the legislative,” Rodriguez said./PN
