National Union of Journalists of the Philippines: We Remember Falle Colleagues and our Vow to Assert Press Freedom (02.11.2021)

National Union of Journalists of the Philippines: NUJP to Roque – Don’t deny Cencorship on PH Press (12.10.2021)

National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUPJ): 33 Years Later, Solidarity for Press Freedom and for Media Still Needed (30.07.2021)

Opinion: The Duterte Administration doesn’t want a free-media, but a gang of YES-MEN!

Today its official the House of Representative has put the nail in the coffin for the renewal of the media house and franchise ABS-CBN. This has been an on-going battle for the media company and its associates. What this does is close radio stations across the Republic and also TV stations. They are deliberately closing one of the strong independent media houses.

ABS-CBN have had the ability to actually bring content of facts. Yes, it has its wrong like everyone does. Everyone who publish, distribute and address news will sooner or later do blunders. What this Presidency is doing is to silence and muffle media houses that dares to question them. Just like Ressa of Rappler, the ABS-CBN is in the same regard. They dared to have provocative ads and such in the campaign ahead of this administration. That’s why this sort of thing is a retaliation, as the Congress is filled with YES-MEN and people blindly loyal to the President. He won the recent mid-term election and has less of opposition to ever stop him. Everyone that oppose get into dire waters and awaiting sharks.

ABS-CBN now is in the same waters. Rappler, which is a small digital operation has survived. Even when the authorities and the state has challenged it at every possible way. Now the media house of ABS-CBN is getting detained and possibly closed because it offended the Don in the previous Presidential Elections.

There is no other way to see this. It is a political retaliation. They can use legal means and spin-it, but that is the end-game. If ABS-CBN had been positive and been less objective, if it had been as friendly as GMA and 24 Oras. They wouldn’t come in this situation. The ABS-CBN is here, because it dares to question the powers to be. It dares to challenge and also go nuts about it. If it didn’t do that and was a only broadcasting what Malacanang and the PCOO wants spread. They are just to copy verbatim and memos without questioning it.

If you do that? Then, your in trouble. Big trouble, possibly either losing your job or getting court-side. The government will figure one way or another to bring you down.

With this in mind. If anyone in the House of Representatives that voted for the closure of ABS-CBN ever speaks of freedom of speech and liberty to express themselves. Than, they got to look in the mirror and remember what they did today. The 70 members should be remember, because they clearly don’t give an rats ass about freedom of expression. They are just loyal lackey’s of Duterte.

This here shows that this administration again doesn’t trust the media to cover their actions. Neither, does it accept them pressing on issues. They are just supposed to dance along with the President and his team. Not supposed to question or speak up. If you do?

You gone go missing and be denied. Just like the ABS-CBN or Rappler who both been under fire. The ones loosing out is the public, the employees and in the end, also the men who stopped ABS-CBN. Unless they want to clap in the same echo-chamber and wants the same psalms to sing from Manila to Davao. They just wants empty-headed tabloids and scripted songs in favour of the administration. These representative don’t want to be questioned or investigated by reports. They want to have empty love like celebrities.

These people want the red-carpet treatment, they want to be kissed and get the love. That’s why they are closing ABS-CBN. To prove a point, but its a flawed point. Only undressing their motives and the message is clear.

If you don’t show us love, we will close you down. Peace.

Philippines: The Animo’s Official Statement on ABS-CBN Shutdown (05.05.2020)

Philippines: Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) – “This Is How Liberty Dies…” (05.05.2020)

Opinion: The ABS-CBN closure is political retribution and nothing else

The ABS-CBN sent a few questionable and harsh ads towards the President Rodrigo Duterte during the 2016 campaign for his election. This is certainly the reason why the termination of license of the franchise and the gag-order earlier in the year was put on the media company. As this company has the ability to put pressure on the hard-headed Presidents of its time. That is why the last time it happen it was in 1972. A record Duterte should compete with, but clearly he wants too.

This is a battle and method of retaliation of the President and his team. As this is silencing a open critic. Just like they did with Leila De Lima and Antonio Trilanes. The state has also been fierce against the independent media house Rappler too. So, its not like ABS-CBN is getting a new treatment.

It might be a temporary set-back as a way of the President to prove that you don’t mess with him. That is why I call it a retaliation, because the Senate is the final place for consideration of the license of the Franchise. Even if the National Telecommunication Commission put the cease and desist order on the media house.

What we do know, is for the ones claiming that the owners are not paying taxes. The government as late as February 2020 said they were no liabilities and no arrears. The company has paid its taxes and paid its employees. Therefore, the thought of using as an argument for the closure is futile. Unless, your docile and believe anything.

ABS-CBN only gets this, because it dared to challenge Duterte and aired certain ads. This is his way of firing back and showing flex. Not that its any good. It only shows that he doesn’t have the heart or the ability to strike back with sense. The President doesn’t have the arguments or the ads to address his opposition. Instead, he uses his office and his power together with comrades to close it for a while. Just to show the owners, the journalists, that they should all be like 24 Oras on the GMA Network, because they will never sound the whistle at any government.

That’s why we are here today. We are in our 1972 moment. Where a President and his team uses their office to silence critics and by all means. Rappler was the owner structure and ABS-CBN its the franchise and its license. I am sure the government friendly press will never get into these issues. The ones who doesn’t air critical ads and content, which challenge the President in any form. But if you do, you better lawyer up and have your tools ready. Because, its going to get rocky and the road to redemption is long.

ABS-CBN is getting the full Duterte treatment. The full fury and furious intervention, maybe he will beg for forgiveness later. If he cares about the 11,000 people in limbo. However, that is not so important, as long as the President can signal that he doesn’t accept critical ads. ABS-CBN better follow the Duterte line, if not they will walk the plank. Peace.

Philippines: House Joint Resolution No. 29 – Joint Resolution – Extending the Franschise of ABS-CBN Corporation until May 4, 2021 (26.02.2020)

Opinion: Maybe Duterte needs a Gag Order [on himself]

Now that the Solicitor General Jose Calida in the on-going “tax-case” with ABS-CBN, one of the biggest news-outlet and media corporations in the Republic of Philippines. Which has been under hard scrutiny from President Rodrigo Duterte since the end of last year. Now, the owners and everyone involved in ABS-CBN is feeling the same sort of legal ramifications as the Rappler did just a few brief moments ago.

We have seen this script before, now they are retaliating even harder. Not only at the foreign investor side, but also directly at the core of the business. Not allowed to speak of the case, which is implying themselves. If this succeeds, then the Duterte administration is setting the precedence of only one thing.

The Duterte administration won’t from now on, only a lovely press ass-kissing their every move. Singing the songs of the Malacañang Palace and their glories achievements. They want state-run TV and most likely in the tunes of Pyonyang. Because, why not go full tilt and full ego boost of Rodrigo?

No free statement, no free reporting and no fair judgement. Anyone who has an idea that counter the brilliant mind and the scholar, the entrepreneurial mastermind from Davao. Don’t you dare speak ill of him. Than the sickness, the moon will not shine on you and the devil will put a spell on you.

Since, they will not allow the ABS-CBN to report on it. Neither speak on it, when its their livelihood. What if the Malacañang Palace got an gag order? What if Duterte got one? If all of his cabinet and everyone involved? All his aides and secretaries? Just keep your mouth shut. The public will address your matters.

I cannot say that all reporting made by ABS-CBN has been good neither should it be either. There are always grounds for questioning the behaviour and the ways a network like that operates. However, to do this legal ramifications and these sort of steady attacks. Undermine their work and their justification for their freedom of expression in the Republic. Just like it did with Rappler too.

This is the same story, just another venue from the same people to the same ends. That is why the gag order would be fitted to the palace and its king. Not that the ones reporting on the acts of the palace and the king to get the blame. Because, they are telling the stories of the place, the way they deem fit. If it is done wrongly and with prejudice. Than the President and his men should state that and show the public their digressions. Not muffle them to silence and possibly try to revoke their license. What sort of game plan is that?

This isn’t about liberty, ownership or anything of the above. It is a about an administration whose so reckless and careless acts towards the expressions and freedom of speech. That is why the ones who dare to question Duterte get’s into trouble.

Yesterday it was Rappler, today its ABS-CBN. Soon its someone else, who has a foreign owner, who hasn’t paid tax and whose not “correct” in the eyes of the President. Maybe, he shouldn’t have travelled with the random lady in Hong Kong? Maybe, he shouldn’t have kissed  the woman in South Korea?

If you don’t like the headlines, Mr. President, don’t create them! Don’t utter the words, don’t speak ill and act with fury. Think rational and be humble. I know that is not Rodrigo, but he should consider it. Let that be his gag order. To actually think before he talks. That would be really refreshing, compared to random rants at various events across the Republic.

Well, I expect more to follow this. This story is not over. There was a lot more tricks of the trade in concern to Rappler. Therefore, there will be more for the ABS-CBN.  By the way, this story is not a song of greatness, but of mediocrity of Duterte. Since he again cannot stand comments or reporting on his actions. If he could, then would have been a better man and let this one go. Peace.