BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte (MindaNews/16 November) -- For North Cotabato Vice Gov. Emmanuel Pinol, it was time to teach the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) some lessons in journalism ethics. Reacting to a NUJP statement calling him a ‘bully’ and a ‘tin pot dictator’ for allegedly threatening a radio blocktimer in Kidapawan City three weeks ago, Pinol said the media organization used cruel language in making the accusation. "The savage and vicious verbal attacks made against me by the NUJP, an organization supposedly committed to protecting journalists and safeguarding press freedom, has greatly tarnished the respectability of the Union,” the vice governor today said in a statement.
He said that by using ‘cruel language’ Nonoy Espina, NUJP vice chairman, became what he accused the official to be – “a big bully and a thug drunken with power tearing people's reputation to shreds without the benefit of careful validation of facts.”
Pinol was referring to an incident involving Alberto "Boy" Encarnacion, barangay chairman of Meohao, Kidapawan City who he said had attacked him in two previous political exercises by buying airtime from local radio stations.
He said that three weeks ago Encarnacion again attacked him over Radyo Natin 107.1 in Kidapawan City using a case of intrusion and trespassing filed against him (Pinol) by a Bukidnon provincial board member.
He said the program, reportedly aired for the first time, convicted him “even before the prosecutor could determine the merits of the case” and told listeners not to vote for people like him.
Pinol said he went to the radio station with three other persons – his driver, a police security and a former employee who owns an internet café in Kidapawan. He said they had no guns when they entered the radio station.
He said that upon knowing it was Encarnacion who made the broadcast, he blurted out, “Ikaw na pud?” (You again?)
The vice governor said he refused Encarnacion’s offer of handshake and that he explained the case in the presence of the radio technician who stood nearby.
He added he asked Encarnacion why he allowed himself to be used by his political opponents when he is a barangay chairman.
"You should have come to me to explain your side before this broadcast," Pinol quoted the broadcaster as saying.
"How can I do that? I did not even know that you are back to your old business again?" he supposedly quipped backed.
"’Do this again and I will file libel charges against you. Bantay ka lang,’ was what I remembered telling him before I left,” the vice governor said.
Pinol said he merely went to the station to give his side of the story and that he and his escorts were unarmed contrary to NUJP’s statement which said he came “with thugs in tow”.
“I did not touch Encarnacion physically, not even a handshake,” he added.
He accused NUJP of “relying solely on the report of its field officer, Malu Manar, whose husband is employed by the city mayor of Kidapawan, who belongs to the other political group.” |
Manar, a reporter of DXND who also writes for MindaNews, said her husband, a member of the Civil Security Unit, has no influence at all in the affairs of the city and that her husband is paid not by the mayor but by taxpayers’ money.She said she personally interviewed Encarnacion who admitted he was warned by Pinol; sent a reporter to check on the blotter which in the police logbook had a notation, “off air pls” allegedly on the request of Encarnacion. Manar said she also sent a reporter to get Pinol’s side.
Manar said she discussed the issue in her radio program only after Piñol was able to give his side.
Pinol said the NUJP statement “ is now being used by my political opponents. Although it poses minimal damage to my political standing, it is hurting simply because I was a practicing journalist before I became a politician and may go back to the profession after the end of my political term. I believe I have more right to claim to be a journalist than the paid hacks like Encarnacion.”
”I may be hurting and angry but I can assure the NUJP officers that I can still maintain my level-headedness and discuss this incident profoundly in relation to defending press freedom and protecting working journalists,” he said.
Pinol posed the following points, quoted here verbatim, for NUJP to “seriously consider”:
1. You consider my decision to go to the station to confront the paid broadcaster as "harassment." Don't we, who are victims of unfair and vicious media attacks, have the right to defend our honor and integrity by demanding equal time and space for our response? When people like me file libel charges, you cry harassment. What do you think is the best option for us?
“2. Many of the so-called broadcasters and journalists in the rural areas who were attacked or killed were either involved in AC/DC (attack and collect/defend and collect) operations against local politicians or personalities or had personal motives in making the attacks. This has to be studied in the context of Filipino culture where pride and honor or "dangal" are considered enough reasons to kill and die for. This is especially true among Filipino Muslims where "maratabat" is the cause of many clan feuds and killings. Must not NUJP initiate efforts to address this problem by conducting a study of Press Freedom in the Philippines in relation to Filipino and Filipino Muslim culture?
“3. The NUJP statement in my case is a perfect example of how the cardinal rule of journalism on validation of stories was violated. You relied mainly on the report of a polluted source in coming up with a conclusion that I am a "bully" and a "tin pot dictator." Given the weight of NUJP's influence on the media, is it not proper that a lot of prudence and verification be made before issuing statements?
“4. The NUJP statement with regard to my case was sweeping and vicious and it used abusive language in describing people like me. Given the stature of the NUJP, would it not be more appropriate to issue a calmer and level-headed statement? Believe me, and Mr. Espina should listen to this, measured and carefully written statements are more powerful than foul and abusive language.” (MindaNews)
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