Why take the crime out of libel?

 

FROM 2004 to 2012, Philippine legislators filed more than 60 bills seeking the decriminalization of libel or at least the abolition of imprisonment with regard to libel cases. But things have not moved.

So, lamented an analysis Rappler published Jan. 4. No, I do not intend to mix my tears with those of the revered online media over libel-as-still-a-crime nor deprecate their stand.

As far back as the day decriminalizing libel entered the public discussion, I have stood on the NO platform – writing about it here in February 2014, reprinting it with updates as the occasion arises like now – and putting me at odds with a number of my media peers.   

I have had no problem with libel, notwithstanding the eight cases I had faced in my almost 50 years of writing. No bragging there, just being matter-of-factly.  

I have always considered a libel case as par for the course in the journalism field. As a recourse – the only legal one – of anyone who felt maligned in print, broadcast, or personal utterance, to seek redress for her/his grievance. Indeed, the exercise of a civil right in our democratic state.

It is precisely owing to this core belief that I never begrudged all those people who took me to court – mainly to the prosecutor’s office – crying that I libeled them. I respected their right to seek my comeuppance for whatever perceived and felt wrong I did them. I respected them for their civility – of going the judicial course instead of taking the extra-judicial shortcut with extreme prejudice.  

It is precisely because no libel complaint bearing my name as respondent ever prospered, all finding closure at the prosecutor’s office, that I have lived well with the reality of libel – until 2010.  

Mid-December of that year, a complaint rising out of my rejoinder to a news story denigrating procedures in the conferment of some awards went beyond the prosecutor’s office, even after its dismissal and subsequent denial of a motion for reconsideration there, to the Department of Justice via the complainant’s petition for review. Only to be dismissed anew. The case ran all of three years. Meaning not to scratch old scars to draw fresh blood anew, I made no mention of names and circumstances here. A slew of stories about it came out in the local media and I recorded my personal account in acaesar.blogspot.com.

19 years ‘warranted’

In November 2015, a libel complaint I did not know still existed came to my knowledge only when I applied for an NBI clearance relative to the renewal of my gun permit and found an alias warrant to my name. The case was filed in 1997. Alas, two co-respondents – Sun-Star Clark publisher Joe Pavia and editor Ody Fabian – had died since.    

I hastened to Angeles City RTC Branch 62 to post bail and seek the reopening of the case. The ink on my fingers and my palms from posting bail had yet to be completely scrubbed off when I got a subpoena from the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office for another libel complaint. A Guagua cop felt maligned by a story in Punto! in August 2015 written by the erudite Ding Cervantes alleging irregularities in the handling of evidence obtained in drug buy-bust. As editor, I was co-respondent.

The 1997 case filed by husband-and-wife officers of the Mabalacat Water District was dismissed in August 2016 “for lack of interest to prosecute” as the complainants could not be found anymore. What dragged on – absent my knowledge – for nearly 20 years took but two hearings to be scratched off the court archives.  

People vs. Cervantes, Lacson et al did not go beyond pre-trial for over three years, the complainant showing himself in court all of three times. Raffled off thereafter to another judge, the case was “conditionally dismissed” in August 2020 after only three hearings.     

Grand celebrations

Any dismissal of a libel case is a cause for grand celebrations, as much for the personal triumph of the writer-respondent and his paper or radio-TV station, as for the victory of justice, and the supremacy of press freedom.

At the time of our reporting prime, not too long ago, libel cases were never considered swords of Damocles hanging over our heads in our daily journalistic grind, but rather areas of opportunity to test the bounds of the freedom of expression. The possibility of libel cases never deterred us from the pursuit of the story, any story fit to print, to appropriate the hallowed motto of The New York Times.

No fear factor, no “chilling effect” then as now did a libel case serve as prior restraint in our exercise of this profession. Feeling safeguarded as we were by Justice Malcolm, writing in United States v. Bustos, 37 Phil. 731, 740, 741, to wit:

“The interest of society and the maintenance of good government demand a full discussion of public affairs. Complete liberty to comment on the conduct of public men is a scalpel in the case of free speech. The sharp incision of its probe relieves the abscesses of officialdom. Men in public life may suffer under a hostile and unjust accusation; the wound can be assuaged with the balm of clear conscience. A public officer must not be too onion-skinned with reference to comment upon his official acts. Only thus can intelligence and dignity of the individual be exalted. Of course, criticism does not authorize defamation. Nevertheless, as an individual is less than the state, so must criticism be borne for the public good.”  

Badge of honor

Indeed, there was this somewhat perverted sense Pampanga journalists held then – a number of us still holds to this day – of libel cases as badges of honor, aye, journalism’s very version of the Medal of Valor, to be worn and displayed with pride. So, the more libel complaints, the more effective, if not better, the journalist.

So, it was with Ody Fabian (+) of The Voice who landed himself at the Angeles City Jail over a libel complaint from the Angeles University Foundation Medical Center, and cleared of a P25-million case from a mayor, among others.

So, it was with Sonny Lopez (+) and Elmer Cato of the Angeles Sun, hauled to the fiscal’s office by then Angeles City Mayor Antonio Abad Santos (+) over exposes on corruption in the city government, and subsequently cleared of libel.

So, it was with Ashley Jay Manabat of Sun-Star Clark, tagged in a ridiculous P500-million suit over articles repudiating the doubly ridiculous claims of someone owning the Clark special ecozone along with practically the whole of Luzon.

So, it was with Jerry Lacuarta (+) of Manila Bulletin, haled to court by a US Navy man nabbed for international drug trafficking – of a “considerable amount of high-grade heroin stuffed inside imported tuna” coursed through the Subic port. The conviction of the American sailor ended the libel case.

So, it was with Lacuarta again, with Fred Roxas (+) of the Philippine News Agency and Ding Cervantes of Philippine Star, earning a P20-million libel suit over their reportage of alleged anomalies and incompetence in the construction of the FVR Megadike system. The complaint failed to go beyond the prosecutor’s office.   

So, it was with Rizal Policarpio (+) of Balita who, until 1999, held the distinction of being the only member of the Pampanga media to have gone the whole legal course of libel – filed by a town assessor implicated in the murder of three men – and acquitted for absence of malice. 

So, it was with the venerable Toy Soto (+) of Times Journal, who in his senior year was hit by what he evaded through his decades of journalism practice – a libel suit from Angeles City traders inferred in a report of the Clark Development Corp. as alleged smugglers. Dismissed at the prosecutor’s office, nonetheless.

So, it was with Arnel San Pedro of Manila Times, charged over his exposes of allegedly anomalous transactions in a government rehab center; acquitted after 17 years on trial.    

So, it was with me.

As much a vindication – of the correctness of the story, politically and factually – as a resolute re-commitment to the ethics of journalism is every dismissal of libel. So many libel cases we have been subjected to that the Pampanga media is now a proud keeper of a “Libel Tradition.”

Shields

Two basic elements in journalism we have experienced as strong shields against libel: accuracy and fairness.

Precise as precise can be in the facts obtaining in one’s story. While truth is not always a defense in libel, inaccuracies make falsities that open the respondent to utter defenselessness.

Fairness is the antidote to malice – the usually most damning of libel’s four requisites. Evil intent or ill will on the part of the writer will be more difficult to establish in a story that presents all sides fairly.

Be truthful. Be accurate. Be fair. That’s what all the editors I worked with told me on my way up in the pecking order of the Fourth Estate.

I have upheld – did my best to, every which way I wrote – all three. Still, I’ve had my share of libel suits. And I’ve been lucky. Emerging unscathed, and rather stronger, from them.

Even as I joined the voices raised against online libel in the Cybercrime Law, mainly for the harsh punitive provisions, I harbor a fear over the decriminalization of libel.

Not too long ago, at the Senate deliberations on the then Cybercrime Prevention Bill, I was in awe of the honourable senators – Miriam Defensor-Santiago (+), Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Alan Peter Cayetano, Francis Escudero, Edgardo Angara (+) and Teofisto Guingona III – moving toward that direction.     

However, I stand with Sen. Koko Pimentel in his cautionary plea to his peers on decriminalizing libel.

 “It’s a redress for grievance. If you’re libeled, you can file a complaint, and if the fiscal tells you no libel was committed, at least you feel you tried the remedy, and the potential penalty—since it’s a jail term—is sufficient enough to deter indiscriminate libeling of people,’’ rationalized Pimentel. “If we decriminalize it, more people would feel they’re victims of injustice because they’ve been libeled, and they don’t have a remedy. We don’t want people to take the law into their hands because of inefficient justice system.’’

Inefficient justice system. That’s one operative phrase that has not really factored in amid all the noise rising from the Supreme Court’s declaration of the constitutionality of the Cybercrime Law.

Given the Maguindanao Massacre and other media killings even with libel laws extant, it will most certainly get even worse with libel decriminalized.

And the culture of impunity will get the nation in an even tighter grip.

Yeah, I would rather face summons from the prosecutor’s office than look straight into the barrel of a .45. I have been through that too.

No mere chilling effect but a polar vortex there, I tell you.    

 

Plain thievery

 

PLAGIARISM IS defined in dictionaries as the "wrongful appropriation," "close imitation," or "purloining and publication" of another author’s "language, thoughts, ideas, or expressions," and the representation of them as one's own original work, but the notion remains problematic with nebulous boundaries. 

The modern concept of plagiarism as immoral and originality as an ideal emerged in Europe only in the 18th century, particularly with the Romantic Movement, while in the previous centuries authors and artists were encouraged to "copy the masters as closely as possible" and avoid "unnecessary invention."

The 18th century new morals have been institutionalized and enforced prominently in the sectors of academia and journalism, where plagiarism is now considered academic dishonesty and a breach of journalistic ethics, subject to sanctions like expulsion and other severe career damage.

Plagiarism is not a crime per se but is disapproved more on the grounds of moral offence, and cases of plagiarism can involve liability for copyright infringement.

IF THE above brief is bylined Bong Z. Lacson, then I am a damned plagiarist.

Attributing it properly to Wikipedia makes me a “researcher.”

Plagiarism is plain and simple stealing. The scale and scope of what is thieved make the difference between pilferage and plunder. A sentence, a paragraph copied verbatim and passed on as one’s own comprises the former, a whole body of work – feature, essay, research paper, speech, critique, etc. – the latter. Still, and all, a violation of the Commandment “Thou shalt not steal.” And “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods” too.

Mere translation of another’s work in another language does not make it as the translator’s own. Nothing lost in the translation, the original ideas, thoughts therein remain reposited in the author.

As when a former Senate president translated into Tagalog part of a speech of the late US Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and appropriated it as his own that instantly merited public denunciations.

Yes, the plagiarist is in no way exculpated by his reformatting of the work, so long as the original ideas are kept in toto. It is like Barbie or Ken – pardon the banality of the analogy – no matter how a child dresses them her way, they remain Mattel’s.        

Even more vulgar, as the Filipino witticism holds: Mag-amerikana man ang monkey, unggoy pa rin. Magpabango man si porky, baboy pa rin. Gone a bit off-tangent there maybe.

In a past not-so-distant, there was this fixation on ethical questions rising from the publication of press releases vis-à-vis plagiarism.

“What is unethical? Publishing a press release or writing for a government agency and for a newspaper at the same time?” So, asked one local paper reporter.   

Replied I: No question of ethics in publishing a press release, so long as you don't claim authorship of it if you did not write it. For then, it becomes plagiarism, plain and simple.

A prize-winning journalist from a national daily totally agreed, but then: “Problem is, young writers these days just delete the names of PIA writers and claim it as theirs in toto. Bad!”

As it happens, it is not only young writers that claim authorship of press releases, whether coming from the Philippine Information Agency, the public relations department of the Clark Development Corp., NLEX Corp., the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, the Clark International Airport, SM malls, or from the information offices of the Capitol, and the cities of San Fernando, Angeles, and Mabalacat.

Outright plagiarism has become common practice here, reflective of the indolence, if not of the incompetence of many in the local media. Bad, really bad.    

Many a time you see the same story bylined differently in other papers but taglined “Press Release” with the corresponding source in Punto!

Yes, it is our policy to attribute the press release whence it cometh. If it is re-written and infused with additional facts and figures by our writers, then we find it meriting of his/her byline or tagline but still carrying PR – for press release.

Writing for a government agency and for a newspaper at the same time, is a totally different matter. Ethics dictates that such writer identifies himself/herself as working with the government so the readers will have foreknowledge of his/her biases.  

Plagiarism though is not always as easily delineated or defined as in the case of press releases. Or as always willful, on the part of the writer.

I have been in journalism since the mid-1970s and still I am in constant dread if I have inadvertently or unwittingly taken parts of someone else’s work and incorporated them in my own without the proper attribution.

It is easy – and I do this diligently – to cite reference works and authors quoted in my articles when I am directly noting them from the internet or from books on hand.

Due diligence however becomes fairly impossible when dredging one’s memory bank while writing, especially nearing deadline. It’s like: Are these sets of words, phrases coming to mind originally mine? Or are they figments of long memorized passages from hundreds of books and periodicals read, or maybe my personal impressions of them?

Authors may have been long forgotten but their ideas are still remembered. Or remembered in name but not in work.

There is absolutely no willful intention in me to take another’s work as my own. If you notice anything in my writings suspiciously similar to another’s, then – please – let me know ASAP.

I will call out that other for plagiarizing my work. If his came after mine.

I will damn myself, don sackcloth and sit in ashes. If mine came after his.

There’s no justification to plagiarism. Once you did it – and are found to have done it – there’s no other recourse but to own up to it and not simply apologize but repent and recompense.

That is the only right thing to do. As much for the writer as for the editor.

(First published in September 2012, republished and updated in the wake of the Rappler apology for academic and journalistic works published elsewhere plagiarized by a researcher-writer)

Home in Him

THIS SEASON of joy, an occasion for tears.

If only for one carol – I’ll be home for Christmas. Whoever sings it – Bing Crosby or Michael Buble, Whitney Houston or Josh Groban – reduces me to a crying heap.
Just the first strains are more than enough to work up the lacrimal glands –  
I’m dreaming tonight of a place I love
Even more than I usually do
And although I know it’s a long road back
I promise you…
Thoughts of toiling fathers in the scorching desert sand, of seafaring husbands amid the frozen winter seas, of care-giving mothers in some retirement home, of child-rearing sisters in some high-rise flats – all of them wishing, longing, pining —
I’ll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree
Aye, presents under the tree, but not so much – indeed, not ever – for snow and mistletoe. As for the parol, simbang gabi, and bibingka, puto bumbong, suman, and tamales.

And, above all, family —   
Christmas eve will find you
Where the love light gleams
At the Misa de Aguinaldo singing Gloria in Excelsis joyfully welcoming with the angels and the shepherds the birth of the Savior.

And then, from the humblest hovels to the grandest mansions, the whole family, in prayerful thanksgiving, partaking of the noche buena feast.   
I’ll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams.
The overseas Filipino worker sings. And I just can’t help but wail with him. 
Still, he, she can dream of some homecoming.
Alas, that is not so with the folk uprooted, displaced, death-visited, wherever injustice and terror still supremely reign.  
For them, home for Christmas is now all in the heart, pained memories of what once was. Of what can never be again.
Of them, what can we sing?
Only dirges to haunt the barely surviving. 
Suffering deepening. The weeping unceasing.

Still, hope eternally springs.

There in the Book a cause for some soul-uplifting: “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”  
No home at His aborning. Home for all mankind is in Him. 
Rejoice.    

(First published in December 2012)

Fellowship for Clark

 

THIS ANNUAL fellowship has become a platform for the reaffirmation of the relationship, professional and cordial, between the Clark agencies and the media. As well as for the renewal of our commitment of support for the development of Clark.

Lest we forget, this is also a time for thanksgiving. And we have much, much to thank for this year.

For one, the excellence in good corporate governance collectively -- the Clark Development Corp. and the Clark International Airport Corp. ranking highest, and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority raised to the Hall of Fame in the Performance Scorecard of Government-Owned and -Controlled Corporations – is more than enough a cause for a grateful celebration.

Individually, there is as much excellence we have seen in all three agencies this year. Top of mind now –

The BCDA for the multi-billion developments at Hann Reserve starting to rise in New Clark City, the Central Bank mint, among many others.

From its virtual relegation to the backburner with the Clark International Airport operation and management handed over to the Luzon International Premier Airport Development Corp., CIAC has come into its own anew with a multi-modal hub of events, tourism and entertainment, food trading, among others in the pipeline sooner than soon.

The CDC’s rich harvest of awards from just about every corporate and government entity, not the least of which is the jewel in the crown for 2023 – Asia Leaders Awards “Woman of the Year” which is yet another first in the woman of many firsts, CDC president-CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera.

We can only exclaim, thank God, for Clark. And we in the media have a lot of good news to proclaim.

In this great scheme of events, the adverse issues that obtained this year between us are nothing more than the proverbial tempest in a teapot.

Ruffled relationships, that nonetheless took an intermediary to unravel, indeed a mediatrix beloved by all. Motivated only as she is by her unwavering faith in Clark, her unfaltering hope in its potential, and her unconditional love for her people who shall reap rewards from its development. I refer to no other than Nanay Lilia G. Pineda.

Whence this syllogism has become a personal article of faith, a pledge of commitment: Mahal ako ni Nanay. Mahal ko si Nanay. Kaya – sa abot ng hangganan ng mga pamantayan at panuntunan ng malayang pamahayagan – mamahalin ko rin ang mga minamahal ni Nanay. Amor con amor se paga, wika nga ng mga Kastila.

Tiyak ko na ang damdaming ito ay umiiral din sa ating hanay sa media. Katunayan, nitong Nobyembre lamang, sa pagtatalaga sa tungkulin ng bagong pamunuan ng Central Luzon Media Association – Pampanga Chapter, umusbong mula sa maimahinasyong diwa ng doble-bisionaryong si Ginoong Deng Pangilinan ang pinagtagpi-tagping mga titik at bilang na naging pahayag pagpapahalaga na siya na ngayong bukambibig ng buong kapatiran.

Maari bang tumayo si Ginoong Deng para siya mismo ang magpahayag sa atin ng kanyang siniping kawikaan – “143-VST, VST-143.”

Sa CIAC, ay mayroon na ring pagbati ng pagapapahalaga ang CLMA-Pampanga na nabuo naman noong balitaan-talakayan nito kasama ang president ng ahensiya: “Arrey, hooray! Hooray, Arrey!”

At marapat lamang na mayroon din ang BCDA: “For Clark’s sake, it’s Jake!”

Hanggang dito na lamang. Maraming salamat. Mabuhay po tayong lahat!

(Message delivered as chairman emeritus of the CLMA-Pampanga Chapter during the BCDA-CDC-CIAC Media Fellowship held at Royce Hotel and Casino, 14 Dec. 2023)

 

 

 

 

DUSIT THANI MACTAN CEBU RESORT: A peek of Eden-by-the-sea

A hidden Eden -- by its very location at the northern tip of the Punta Engaño Peninsula jutting into Magellan Bay – Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu is – as advertised – “an inviting retreat.” Indeed, a serene sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of…Metro Cebu or any other urban center one may seek to escape from. 

Thai, by nominal association and by its signature restaurant Benjarong, the resort is imbued with the warmth of Filipino hospitality. And yes, it offers dining options – Tradewinds Café for all-day dining and buffet on weekends (the seafood fare is to die for!); The View lobby lounge, wide open to refreshing sea breezes; The Deli, of coffee, cakes and pastries, and indulgences all sweet; and The Sunset Bar, for the spirituous and the sporty alike.

In true Thai tradition, wellness is not just a ritual but a celebration at the resort’s Namm Spa. There is a Fitness Centre – a fully equipped gym with the latest machines and facilities. And a Fun Zone for kids.   

Most captivating feature of the resort – at the very first sighting – is its infinity pool stretching some 100 meters parallel to the beach with a vast sundeck fringed with coconut palms swaying, sashaying to the breeze.

Alas, the resort fully booked for the day, no room tour for the media visitor. Given but a sneak peek, photographs and memories of this Eden-by-the-sea will have to do for now. 

(Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort is one-hour flight from the Clark International Airport via Cebu Pacific Air)

 

NUSTAR RESORT AND CASINO: Stellar Hotelcation

CEBU CITY – No single nova but a galaxy all its own in the dazzling firmament of travel, tour, entertainment, gaming, and not the least gastronomy.

That is Nustar Resort and Casino, the premier 5-star integrated resort of the city and its eponymous province, in all of the Visayas and Mindanao, and one of the select fewer-than-few in the whole Philippines. 

Nustar is luxury defined right at its very portals of glass, granite and marble; magnificent crystal chandeliers hanging from its high ceilings, an expansive lobby so predominantly golden that Midas could have crafted it himself, and here and there, fine objets d’art and paintings.

Global brands – from haute couture to luxe jewelry and all shibboleths of wealth – level up shopping in style at The Mall.

 

The Casino: Vegas’ tackiness absent in its vastness – 250 tables, 1,500 machines on 21,000 square meters – and still stylishly elegant though sans the old world charm of Monte Carlo.    

Premier Cinemas, reputed to be Cebu’s most luxurious and state-of-the-art with 3D technology and a cutting-edge laser projection system for the total movie experience.

Food, glorious food! Filipino, Asian, American, European all under one roof but with a diversity of ambiance peculiar to that of the provenance.  

Fili Café, a buffet of international and regional Filipino cuisines.

Fina, classic and heirloom dishes from Cebu primarily, as well as other culinary centers of the country. 

Café Laguna, authentic Filipino favorites like kare-kare, puto bumbong, and

lumpia. 

Xin Tian Di, heavenly southern Chinese and southeast Asian culinary delights most fitting for the English translation of its name, “New Heaven and Earth.”

Mott 32, in tribute to the famous convenience store on 32 Mott Street in New York City, serving a modern take on Chinese cuisine.

Kazuwa Prime, umami!

Kozima by Nonki, oishi!

Barcino, dedicated to Spanish gastronomy complemented by an extensive wine list.

Il Primo, Cebu’s very first Italian steakhouse. Squisito! Che buono!

Axis, entertainment and sports bar for live entertainment and nightly shows with the city’s best-curated wines, spirits, and cocktails.

Abaca Baking Company, for the finest all-butter croissants, pastries and baked goods in all of Metro Cebu.

Fili Lobby Lounge, for coffee goodness, sweet desserts, fresh sandwiches.

Who’d seek for more?

Aye, Nustar Resort and Casino is a complete destination of delight in itself.

 

Fili Hotel

An ambiance of opulence and sophistication permeating Fili – from its tastefully-appointed rooms, ocean vistas, sundecks and pools to fine dining and the impressive standard of service of its staff – indeed befits its being the very first Filipino 5-Star luxury hotel brand.

Filipino hospitality not only on display but lived up to the full, for the grandest stay. Hotelcation finding its very meaning there.   

As one good thing deserves another, soon to open is Nustar Hotel, with the promise to even redefine ultra-luxury.

Now, that’s one promise to experience. 

(Nustar Resort and Casino is but an hour hop from the Clark International Airport via Cebu Pacific, daily) 

Ika-45 guning taon ng Central Luzon Media Association

 

Only last September, the Central Luzon Media Association – the mother club, that is –turned 45 years old. But it is today, right here and now, that the CLMA did indeed go full circle. By serendipity, if not by Providence, with the mere presence here of Director General Joe Torres.

Surprised? Please indulge the reminiscences of this old man.

At the time of the founding of the CLMA on Sept. 24, 1978, the president of the Republic of the Philippines was Ferdinand Edralin Marcos. Today it is his namesake and junior, Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos.

The CLMA was birthed at the Department of Public Information, Region 3 office. Its first set of officers were sworn into office thereat by Information Secretary Francisco S. Tatad. Today, our inducting officer is PIA director general Joe Torres. In case you did not know, the Philippine Information Agency is the descendant of the Department of Public Information, that subsequently evolved into the Ministry of Public Information when the government experimented with the presidential-parliamentary system; then back to the Department of Public Information, and then into the Office of Media Affairs, until finally becoming the PIA after the EDSA Revolution of 1986.

Since Kit Tatad, no other head of the information agency ever showed up in CLMA induction ceremonies until today, with DG Torres.

There is the full circle.

It was my fortune to have been there at all stages of this agency’s evolution – with the bragging right of being the last regional director, albeit on OIC status, of the DPI and the first of the OMA, at the age of 27.

Apatnapu’t limang taon. Tunay na napakabilis ng takbo ng panahon, nang  alinsunod sa atas ng tungkulin bilang pinuno ng research, training and development division ng DPI, aking binalangkas ang CLMA at bumuo sa core group sa pagkakatatag nito. Ito po ang dahilan sa pagkakabit sa aking pangalan ng titulong “founding proponent” na siyang iginawad sa akin ng maituturing nating ama ng CLMA, si Director Ricardo Velasquez Serrano ng DPI-3 noon.

Samahan niyo akong gunitain man lang dito ang mga nagsilbing haligi ng CLMA, na matagal na ring pumalaot sa kabilang buhay: Alfredo Roxas ng Philippine News Agency at Benjamin Gamos ng Times Journal, na noo’y naka-base sa mismong tanggapan ng DPI, kaya’t sila na ring tumayo para sa Pampanga; mula sa Bulacan – Rod Reyes ng People’s Journal, at magkapatid na Jess at Bert Matic, ng The Reflector – ang una’t huling pahayagng broadsheet sa Gitnang Luzon; mula sa Bataan, Efren Molina ng Bulletin Today; mula sa Nueva Ecija, Pacifico de Guzman ng The Monday Post, Pete Salazar ng Dahongpalay, at Anselmo Roque ng Daily Express katuwang si Isagani Valmonte ng Times Journal; mula sa Tarlac mag-asawang Ben at Rose Razon ng Tarlac Star at radioman Ben Gonzales, Feliciano Pasion ng Manila Times, at DPI coordinator Luz Ducusin; mula sa Zambales ang mag-asawa ring Elpidio at Susana Curiano ng Olongapo News.

Baka po kayo malito, ang ikinukuwento ko po ay ang pagkatatag ng mother club – ang CLMA na una’t tanging “regional association of working media persons” sa buong Pilipinas. Mula po sa umbrella organization na ito umusbong ang mga provincial chapters na kabilang na nga ang ating binibigyang pugay at piging dito ngayon.     

Apatnapu’t limang taon. Mula sa murang edad na dalawampu’t apat, ngayon ay heto ako na kung minsan ay hindi na maala-ala ang ginawa ko makaraan ang dalawang oras lamang.

Kaya’t sinasamantala ko ang bawat pagkakataong tulad nito na maisawalat at maibahagi sa inyong mga nakababata ang nakaraan ng ating samahan, at least, yung sumasariwa pa rin sa aking kaisipan. Upang kahit na manawari ay maisapuso natin at maging matamis na ala-ala kundi man inspirasyon at gabay sa ating pagpapatuloy sa landas ng pamahayagan.

Itinatag ang CLMA sa kasagsagan ng hagkis ng batas militar. Hindi iilan ang nag-isip sa hanay ng mga mamamahayag noon na ito ay pakana lamang ng estado na kontrolin ang media, lalo na nga’t nabuo’t nilinang ang samahan sa Department of Public Information na tinutuya bilang “propaganda arm” ni Marcos.

Sa kabutihang palad, nagkataon na ang may timon noon ng DPI sa rehiyon, si Ric Serrano na nga, ay may mataas na pagpapahalaga sa kalayaan sa pamamahayag – dahil siya mismo ay nanggaling din sa hanay ng media.

Isa sa mga pangunahing dahilan sa pagbuo ng CLMA ay ang protektahin ang karapatan sa malayang pamamahayag – ito ay sa pamamagitan ng pagbigkis-bigkis ng mga indibidwal sa isang samahan – in union there is strength, saad nga ng kawikaan. Ang diwa ng ugnayan na umusbong sa mismong pagsilang ng CLMA ay ang kawikaang Tagalog: Sakit ng kalingkingan, ramdam ng buong katawan. Higit sa isang samahan lamang, ang layon ng CLMA ay maging isang kapatiran.

Anumang hagupit sa sinumang kapatid sa media ay tuwirang hagkis sa buong samahan. Kaya nga’t maraming beses na naglabas ang CLMA ng mga pagkundena sa mga nasa pamahalaan – local o national – pulis at militar, nanggipit, nanakot o nanakit sa hanay ng media. Tulad sa paghamon ng duelo ng isang armadong punong bayan ng Pampanga kay Jerry Lacuarta ng Bulletin Today na tanging pluma ang tangan sa kamay. O sa armadong pananakot kay Charlie Gatdula, ang Tarlac correspondent ng Bulletin Today, na napilitang mangibang bansa. Sa pagsalakay ng mga armadong alipores ng mayor ng Angeles sa programang Tagamasid sa DZYA nina Sonny Lopez ng Pahayagang Malaya, at Bong Lacson ng People’s Journal/Tonight. Sa pananakit at panghambalos ng mga tauhan ng Philippine Air Force sa mga Pampanga media na kumo-cover sa isang May Day protest rally sa noo’y Clark Air Base. Pati na rin sa pagdukot at pag-torture ng mga pulis ng Olongapo-Metrodiscom kina Joy Franklin Gonzales ng Daily Globe at Jess Malabanan ng Manila Standard dahil sa kanilang banat sa problema ng droga sa lungsod. Naganap ang mga ito noong dekada 80 at 90. Noong Disyembre 2021 si Jess Malabanan ay pinaslang sa Samar, at hanggang ngayon wala pa ring katarungan ang kanyang pagkamatay.

Sa kabilang banda, naging kasangga ng pamahalaan ang CLMA hindi lamang sa mga paglalahad ng mga programang pangkaunlaran nito kundi sa pagsisiwalat rin sa mga kalabisan, kakulangan, at korupsyon sa mga sangay ng gubyerno.

Binuo natin noon ang buwanang Central Luzon Media Forum sa tanggapan ng DPI kung saan naging pangunahing bisita natin ang mga miyembro ng Gabinete, gaya nina Blas Ople ng Labor na hindi lang minsan kundi maraming beses nating nakadaupang-palad at nakaututang dila, si Aber Canlas ng DPWH, Greg Cendana ng Office of Media Affairs, Jose Leido ng Natural Resources, at maraming iba pa.

Ang kasalukuyang Labor Secretary Benny Laguesma ay naging bahagi rin ng maraming okasyon sa CLMA magmula noong siya ay assistant director pa lamang sa DOLE-Central Luzon.

Hindi lahat ng ugnayan ng CLMA sa kapulisan at kasundaluhan ay mapait o may kapighatian. Sa katotohanan, minsa’y nakipagkapit-bisig din ang CLMA, kasama ang DPI, sa Regional Command 3 ng PC-INP sa Camp Olivas, San Fernando sa pangunguna ni BG Vicente Eduardo, at sa 5^th Army Brigade sa Camp Aquino, Tarlac sa pangunguna naman ni BG Benjamin G. Santos.

Sa ugnayang ito nabuo at ipinatupad ang tatlong malawakang kampanya:

Anti-Pollution Campaign, kung saan napilitang magpatayo at magpaandar ng mga pollution-abatement facilities sa isang azucarera sa Pampanga, at dalawang pulp and paper manufacturing company sa Bulacan at Bataan. Incidentally, the broad daylight ambush on CLMA father Ric Serrano in Quezon City in June 1998 was related to his anti-pollution efforts in his capacity then as regional director of the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources. His murder, to this time, is unsolved.

Anti-Illegal Dikes Campaign, na nauwi sa pagbuwag at pagpapasabog ng 300 dike na sumakop sa mga kailugan ng Bataan, Bulacan, at Pampanga na umaagos sa Manila Bay.  Sanhi nito, nasama pa ang CLMA sa mga kasong isinampa sa korte ng mga ilang may-ari ng mga pinasabog na dike. Absuwelto naman po ang lahat ng mga kinasuhan.  

Anti-Illegal Gambling Campaign, na nag-resulta naman sa pagkakatanggal sa tungkulin ng isang humaliling regional PC-INP commander, ilang provincial commanders, at mga hepe ng pulisya sa ilang bayan at lungsod.  

Gaya ng anumang samahan, hindi rin nawala ang sigalot, bangayan, awayan sa CLMA. Sa katunayan nagkaroon pa nga ng mga suntukan sa isang induction ceremonies sa San Fernando, at sa isang eleksyon ng mga officers sa Olongapo.

Subali’t, sa bawat hidwaan, nanaig pa rin ang higpit ng kapatiran. Buhay pong saksi nito ang kasalukuyang president ng CLMA mother club, si Ginoong Vic Vizcocho ng Olongapo-Zambales.

Sa aking pananaw, walang anumang balakid na hindi natin malalagpasan, walang di-pagkakaunawaan ang hindi natin malunasan basta matibay ang ating bigkisan, habang sandigan natin ang katotohanan.   

Sa tibay at tatag ng anumang samahan, ang bawat isa, may posisyon mang hinahawakan o karaniwang kasapi lamang, ay pantay ang karapatan, malaya sa paghayag ng saloobin, walang kimkim na anumang agenda liban sa kapakanan ng samahan at bawa’t kasama dito.

Sa haba ng aking karanasan sa mga samahan sa media, aking nakita ang pinakamagagandang pagsasama-sama, pati na rin ang pinakasukdulan sa kasamaan. Isang hindi malilimutang aral mula sa mga taon ko sa seminary ang kawikaang: Mabuti ang pakikisama, huwag lamang maging pakiki-SAMA – the collective evils of pretensions to elitism, bloviated feeling of self-importance, sense of entitlement, mixed with the mentality of the mindless mob. This becomes even more toxic if it obtains in a press club, as it makes the total negation of the Journalism Code of Ethics.   

Sa mga nanunungkulan, higit ang tawag ng transparency at accountability. Dahil na nga ipinagkaloob sa kanila ang pamumuno sa samahan. Subali’t ang sovereignty, ay nanatili sa general assembly. Kaya’t anumang pasiya ng mga namumuno ay kinakailangan pa ring isangguni sa nakararami.

Ito ang mga kaisipang umiral sa akin sa pagbalangkas ng CLMA. Ito ang aking idinadalangin na maging pamantayan, maging kalakarang iiral pa rin sa ating kapatiran tungo sa mga susunod pang mga henerasyon. Tungo sa pagtaas pa ng antas ng pamahayagan sa ating pamayanan.

Sa pagsandig sa katotohanan at katapatan sa tungkulin bilang malayang mamamahayag, ito ang saligan hindi lamang ng aking matibay na paniniwala kundi ng aking buong pananampalataya sa Central Luzon Media Association, the premier press club.

Mabuhay ang CLMA. Luid ya ing Kapampangan. Dacal pung salamat.  

(Talumpating binigkas sa panunumpa sa tungkulin ng bagong pamunuan ng Central Luzon Media Association-Pampanga Chapter na ginanap sa Hilltop, Filinvest Mimosa + Leisure City, Clark Freeport, 6 Nobyembre 2023)