REVILLA TO HEAR PROPOSALS FOR JOURNALISTS' PROTECTION

To address the growing conflict between government authorities and journalists that made itself apparent in the Manila Peninsula incident last year, Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. has scheduled a hearing on proposals to protect the rights and welfare of mediamen in the country.

He identified Senate Bill No. 9 and Senate Bill No. 1398, authored by Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Loren Legarda respectively, as among the agenda in the hearing of his committee, the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, which will be held on Tuesday, February 5.

"Aside from the two bills on the proposed Journalist Welfare and Protection Act of 2007, we will also discuss bills on the right to reply. No need to ask for a hearing because it has already been scheduled since December," said Revilla.

"Our Constitution recognizes the important role of media. They act as watchdogs against abuse and the messengers of information to the constituency. On the other hand, authorities should be given ample room to fulfill their duties and responsibilities. There should be a balancing of interests so that there is mutual respect and understanding as between these two institutions. This is our goal, " the senator added.

Invited to represent the Philippine Media are National Press Club (NPC) President Roy Mabasa, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) President Ruperto Nicdao, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) President Inday Varona, Philippine Press Institute (PPI) President Amado Macasaet, Philippine Journalists, Inc. President Bobby de la Cruz and Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) President Juan Dayang.

Expected to attend from the government side are Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Raul Gonzales, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Arturo Brion, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr., Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairperson Purificacion Valera Quisumbing, Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairperson Karina David and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director General Conrado Limcaoco Jr.

Representing the academe are UP College of Mass Communications Dean Dr. Nicanor Tiongson and UP Professor Randy David.

Revilla pointed out that the individual's right to reply can be a complementary measure to improve the relationship of media and the private, as well as the public sectors.

"This would guarantee persons who are subject of a derogatory report to have their reply immediately printed or broadcast by the concerned media outfit. This would also help raise the level of professionalism among journalists," he said. Revilla also pushed for the people's right to government information in the wake of the media practitioners' legal moves to exert press freedom in the country.

He stressed that the right to information in the Philippines is guaranteed under Section 28 Article II and Section 7 Article III of the Constitution but denial to access to government remains widespread. "The free flow of information regarding the affairs of the government paves the way for public participation at the same time fosters accountability in government. Here in our country, there are factors that still deprive full access to government information," Revilla lamented.

Revilla filed Senate Bill No. 16 or the Official Information Access Bill that would ensure public access to official information.