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News Release
January 31, 2008
Solons cross partylines to uphold
press freedom
For Reference: REP. LIZA LARGOZA MAZA 0920-9134540
Jang Monte (Public Information Officer) 0915-6463009
Crossing party lines, 50 members of the House of Representatives found themselves
agreeing on the issue of upholding freedom of the press amid the brewing
speakership row that currently divides Congress.
House Resolution 431- "A Resolution Expressing the Sense of the House
of Representatives that the Philippine Government should Uphold the Freedom
of the Press, Speech and Expression at All Times in the Light of the
Numerous Attempts to Control the Flow of News and Information, Criminalize
the Exercise of Press Freedom and Curtail this Basic Right Especially
in Times of Crisis and State Emergencies" was filed today by Gabriela
Women's Partylist Representatives Liza Maza and Luz Ilagan with 48 other
solons as co-authors.
"It is high time that the House of Representatives speak on the issue
of press freedom, a fundamental ingredient in a democratic state. We
commend members of the press and media organizations that immediately
stood in the face of repression. This resolution is Congress' contribution
in defending freedom of the press and our civil liberties. Certainly,
any attempt to curtail or repress the mass media should be met upfront
and nipped at the bud," said Rep. Maza.
The Gabriela solon cited as recent attempts to curtail press freedom,
the illegal arrest of members of the media during the Manila peninsula
standoff; the Department of Justice advisory threatening members of the
media and network organizations of criminal liabilities in effect restraining
media from performing their duties and; the rumor-mongering that implicates
a female reporter to the escape of Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon.
"Press freedom is being threatened. It is a Constitutional right and
we are duty bound to defend it," said Maza.
Members of Congress who co-authored the resolution were: Reps. Bienvenido
Abante, Jr. Joseph Emilio Abaya, Giorgidi Aggabao, Proceso Alcala, Thelma
Almario, Darlene Antonio-Custodio, Elpidio Barzaga, Crispin Beltran,
Mar-Len Abigail Binay, Marc Douglas Cagas IV, Teodoro Casino, Ma. Laarni
Cayetano, Antonio Cerilles, Justin Chipeco, Maria Isabelle Climaco, Teodolo
Coquilla, Vincent Crisologo, Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales, Nelson Dayanghirang,
Del De Guzman, Salvador Escudero III, Danilo Ramon Fernandez, Jeffrey
Ferrer, Roilo Golez, Teofisto Guingona III, Magtanggol Gunigundo, Mujiv
Hataman, Ana Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel, Eduardo Nonato Joson, Teodoro
Locsin, Jr., Hermilando Mandanas, Datu Pax Mangudadatu, Satur Ocampo,
Carlos Padilla, Rufus Rodriguez, Jose Antonion Roxas, Mary Ann Susano,
Marcelino Teodoro, Niel Tupas, Jr., Isidro Ungab, Emmanuel Joel Villanueva,
Cynthia Villar, Rene Velarde, Liwayway Vinzons-Chato, Jose Yap, Victor
Yu, Manuel Zamora, and Ronaldo Zamora.