BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)-Iloilo Chapter and some local leaders here have thrown their weight behind the four embattled anchormen of Radio Mindanao Network (RMN).
The NUJP-Iloilo chapter and several local officials criticized Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6 director Dr. Ramir Uytico for filing libel charges against the four DYRI RMN Iloilo broadcasters before the Office of the Iloilo City Prosecutor on Feb. 7.
“As a government official, Uytico has a responsibility to be open to criticism and to confront the problems and questions that arise,” read NUJP-Iloilo’s statement.
“By suing journalists for doing their jobs, Uytico isn’t just silencing the media, he is denying the public the right to know,” the journalists’ group added.
Iloilo City Lone District’s Rep. Julienne Baronda and Mayor Jerry P. Treñas also expressed their support to broadcasters Israel Vincent “Don” Dolido, Henry Lumawag, Novie Guazo, and Regan Arlos.
Uytico accused the radio broadcasters of violating libel under the Revised Penal Code and Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
The DepEd-6 official said the respondents’ commentaries on their radio programs “ruined my person, demeaned my honor, and tarnished my reputation with his insulting invectives.”
But the NUJP-Iloilo said the subject of commentaries, including Uytico’s performance as agency head, are legitimate issues of public significance and therefore subject to reportage and opinion.
“We maintain that the right to free expression and press freedom is paramount especially when it involves public officials and the exercise of their functions,” the NUJP-Iloilo said.
“The media has a vital role to play in conveying information to the public and in holding those in power accountable,” the group said.
It added: “We believe that this case is another proof of how public officials use libel as a weapon to harass, intimidate, and silence journalists.”
Cong. Baronda said that the media, being the Fourth Estate, enjoys the same stature as the executive, judiciary, and legislature.
“Its watchdog function keeps our democracy alive. This is why I’ve treated the media as partners all these years. I take their constructive criticisms as their way of helping us make the discharge of our duties and responsibilities as public servants more efficient and effective,” said Baronda.
She said the libel accusations made against the RMN Iloilo lodged by Uytico “are a tragic incident between two entities that ought to be cooperating partners in development.”
“I firmly stand behind the charged RMN anchors…, as they defend themselves before our justice system,” said Baronda.
For his part, Mayor Treñas said that public servants should understand that their actions are subject to public scrutiny including the media.
In his four decades of public service, Treñas said his actions and decisions were also criticized by members of the media.
“I have never filed any criminal case of libel against any member of legitimate media since I understand that is their job. The members of the RMN team have criticized me for many of my actions. That is their job. I always take it in stride. I want to make it clear that in their fight against the DepEd regional director, I strongly stand behind the RMN commentators,” the mayor said./PN
