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“They [foreign investors] would invest here not to develop Philippine media or to enlighten Filipinos but to gain profits.” – Dean Luis Teodoro
“The questioned law has a particularly chilling effect on online journalism. These days, not only will a journalist’s work be published using traditional media, but it will be made available on the internet.” – media groups
“Upholding the constitutionality of the Cybercrime Law is tantamount to sanctioning repression of the freedom of expression and speech, a move that harks back to the dark days of the Marcos dictatorship.” – College Editors Guild of the Philippines
“By extending the reach of the antediluvian libel law into cyberspace, the Supreme Court has suddenly made a once infinite venue for expression into an arena of fear, a hunting ground for the petty and vindictive, the criminal and autocratic.” -- NUJP
The #NoToCybercrimeLaw alliance called on all netizens and the public to turn their profile pictures on social media into black this February 25.
“The criminal nature of libel in this country makes it the perfect tool of harassment (short of murder, which has also taken out so many Filipino journalists).”
“Libel in itself has been abused for so many years to harass and malign journalists. What’s stopping cunning individuals from exploiting the new online libel provision? I see none.” – Kabataan Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon
“Forming local task forces every time a journalist is killed is hardly comprehensive action to address a larger problem of weak law enforcement and a tolerated culture of impunity." – Bayan Muna
"We are frustrated with the slow pace of the trial. It is disheartening that justice lies in the hands of those who are powerful, yet, they are not doing anything about it.” – CEGP-Ilocos Sur
“How long will the trial take? 10 years? 20 years? We are getting old.” – Maria Cipriana Gatchalian, 61, widow of journalist Santos P. Gatchalian Jr.
RELATED STORY | Kin of Ampatuan massacre victims seek UN help
"The [Ampatuan massacre] case is an encapsulation of 'justice delayed, justice denied.'" – Dean Roland Tolentino, UP College of Mass Communications
There is a simple explanation to call President Aquino the country’s “Impunity King”: He allows the perpetuation of the culture of impunity as he has not done anything to end it
This anachronistic, malicious accusation and insinuation of a military officer, a public affairs spokesman at that, reminds us of Cold war-era politics and martial law, 41 years ago, when anyone critical of the Marcos dictatorship was branded as a communist, leftist and subversive, and therefore was subjected to arrest, detention, torture, and worse, enforced disappearance or extrajudicial killing.
Mrs. Salaysay, widow of slain journalist Napoleon Salaysay, expressed hope that the Filipino people would not forget the Ampatuan massacre.
“I am sad but also happy to know that many people continue to support our fight for justice.” – widow of Ampatuan massacre victim
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
The article cited in this year’s Hildegarde Award is about 13-year-old Mary who carries a heavy burden of being a mother to her three other siblings. Her family is among those whose homes were demolished in Corazon de Jesus in San Juan City.
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