The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) expresses its concern for presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr.'s display of pique last April 1, over what he thought was a reporter's attempt to upstage him.

While the NUJP understands why GMA reporter Sandra Aguinaldo's stand-up reportage could have distracted Poe from his campaign spiel, the presidential contender's response showed once more a disturbing tendency to lash out at media for inconveniences suffered in his quest for the country's top post.

Poe's claim that Aguinaldo was distracting his audience does not wash. The presidential candidate is a certified showbiz star, and one trained in the art of holding a huge audience under his spell. He was using a mike; Aguinaldo's own was connected to GMA's equipment and not designed to boom across the crowd.

This is not the first time Poe has vented his temper on a member of the press. Earlier, he made a grab for a Reuter staff photographer's camera, merely because he thought it was insolent of a photographer to take his picture with a poster of incumbent President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the background.

While Poe's actions are a cause for concern, the reactions of Senators Loren Legarda and Vicente Sotto III are even condemnable. Both demanded an apology from Aguinaldo in a bid to mollify the irate Poe - even as Legarda admitted she didn't quite understand the cause of the incident.

Granting that Aguinaldo may have been a bit too enthusiastic in her reportage, there was no malice on the part of the reporter. In contrast, Poe's public taunt for Aguinaldo to take his place was an attempt to play to the crowd at the expense of the reporter.

Sotto, in demanding for the pull out of Aguinaldo, only betrayed the kind of arrogance that underpins his concepts of power. The NUJP understands the tremendous pressure brought to bear on a neophyte politicians aiming for the country's top post, But the two senators' actions, instead of helping Poe engage media in reasoned discussion, simply tried to pander to his worst trait.

Aguinaldo was simply doing her job. Mature individuals, especially those who seek to lead this country, should resolve irritants through dialogue rather than engage in bully tactics. We urge GMA-7 not to fall into the trap of punishing a reporter for doing the job asked of her.

Signed:

EDGAR CADAGAT
Acting Chairman

INDAY ESPINA-VARONA
Vice Chairman

ARES GUTIERREZ
Director, Committee to Protect Journalists

Refer to Inday Espina-Varona (0916-751-25-22) or Ares Gutierrez (5278421)