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Judge Monique Quisumbing-Ignacio of Branch 209, in a 10-page decision dated Feb. 5, declared that the search warrant used to enter Salem's Mandaluyong home is null and void, rendering the firearms and explosives purportedly found in their possession as inadmissible evidence before the court.
“Had Parlade also done his research and listened to the oral arguments, he would have known that posts like these are what petitioners claim as evidence of a credible threat of prosecution – threat that can warrant a judicial review of the law he seeks to protect and promote.”
“While there has been no offered evidence of any such links, Philippine officials’ increasing penchant for such “red-tagging” is reckless, irresponsible, and dangerous. When amplified by no less than the highest ranking enforcers of government and the law they inevitably compromise any guarantees of due process.”
“Complainants have been targeted for their critical and independent reporting on issues affecting the marginalized and oppressed sectors. They are being persecuted for publishing progressive and alternative views on matters affecting the Filipino people — progressive ideas that are anathema to the current tyrannical regime.”
“The reason we have peaceful lives is that there are people like Icy who are continuously fighting for our rights.”
“Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s government must cease and desist treating journalists as criminals.”
“The Icy that we grew up and spent our high school days with — a diligent student, a committed and effective leader, an articulate writer, a skillful athlete, and a loyal and loving friend — could not be further from the gun-wielding terrorist the police is trying to portray.”
The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 has been widely criticised for curtailing press freedom and the freedom of expression. It has granted authorities the power to detain activists and journalists, and to allege them at the very least of committing terrorism as the law so vaguely defined.
"Her abduction, on Human Rights Day no less, is another proof of the dangers of the administration’s vile practice of red-tagging."
Researchers recognized the need for media owners to provide an enabling environment for women journalists subjected to sexual harassment, including revisiting or developing safety policies, safety training, and the setting up of mechanisms for reporting and investigation.
So no, it's not mainly about the money. It's more on how we want this important part of journalism to be accorded the respect that it deserves and not to be neglected by these gatekeepers.
Under the Duterte administration, human rights group Karapatan said the climate of impunity that has made this massacre possible has "visibly intensified," particularly as the attacks against journalists continue unabated.
“He (Villamor) is the 19th slain during the Duterte administration and the 191st since 1986. "
According to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Maganes is the 18th journalist murdered under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, and the 190th since 1986.
The media should resist all commercialist trappings and not favor profit over truth-telling. Journalists and news media organizations need to brush up on the normative standards of journalism, if only to realize that bias is inherent and should not be hidden.
"That this is being produced amid a repressive regime makes it even more relevant as the media continue to be under attack from those who should protect and uphold press freedom and other basic freedoms."
“Even if the Ombudsman dismissed the case, it doesn't change the fact that the PNP [Philippine National Police] and top leaders have admitted their folly when their minions arrested me.“
“If you do not involve the public in your problem, then you cannot practice what you preach.”
“The filing of cases against two NorDis staff, me included, is an escalation of attacks against our media group.”
"Libel has always been a tool of government officials and influential individuals to stifle freedom of expression and silence critical media organizations."
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