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Dagok sa malayang pamamahayag

Patay ang demokrasya sa desisyon ni Judge Reynaldo Laigo ng Makati Regional Trial Court branch 56 sa class suit na isinampa ng mga mamahayag tungkol sa nangyari sa Manila Peninsula noong Nov. 29, 2007.

Kinampihan ni Laigo ang ginawa ng Philippine National Police sa pangunguna ni Police Director Geary Barias ng National Capital region na pag-aresto at pagposas sa mga reporter pagkatapos ng insidente kung saan sina Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim at mga Magdalo officers ay nag-walkout sa hearing sa Makati RTC at nagpunta sa Manila Pen kung saan hinikayat nila ang taumbayan na talikuran si Gloria Arroyo.

Natapos ang insidente nang pinasok ng tangke ang Manila Pen at nagsabog ng teargas para mapwersa sumuko sina Trillanes , Lim at kanilang mga kasamahan.

Hindi lang sinabi ni Laigo na tama ang ginawa ng PNP. Swerte pa raw kami dahil hindi kami kinasuhan!

Teka nga. Ano ba ang kasalanan naming at kami ay dapat kasuhan? Sinabi noon nina PNP Chief Avelino Razon ay “obstruction of justice”. Ano ba ang aming hinarang? Bakit nang hinuli ba sina Trillanes at Lim, hinarang ba namin sila? Hinarang ba namin ang pagpasok ng tangke at ang pag-teargas?

Ano ba ang gusto sana nila gawin doon na hindi nila nagawa dahil doon kami?

Kami ay nanatili doon sa Manila Pen dahil katungkulan namin ang ipa-alam sa tumbayan ang katotohanan. Karapatan ng taumbayan malaman ang katotohanan sa lahat na nangyayari na nakaka-apekto sa buhay nila para yun ang magiging basehan nila magdesisyon. Mahalaga yan sa
demokrasya kung saan ang kapangyarihan ay sa taumbayan.

Ang desisyon ni Laigo ay nagbibigay ng karapatan sa mga pulis mag-desisyon kung hanggang saan lang maari ang pagkuha ng mga reporter ng impormasyon. Kapag hindi mo sinunod ang pulis, arestado ka, maari kang posasan. Pwede ka pang kasuhan.

Nakakatakot at talagang apektado ang malayang pamamahayag.

Ito pa ang nakakasuspetsa. June 20 lumabas and desisyon. Noong Biyernes (June 27) nakakuha ang reporter ng Inquirer.net na si Thea Alberto ng kopya ng desisyon sa opisina ni Director Barias.

Hanggang ngayon, wala pang kaming mga complainant ng kopya ng desisyon. Wala pa ring kopya ang aming abogado, ang Roque & Butuyan law office na malapit lang sa City Hall.

Inilabas ng PNP ang kopya nila ng desisyon, pasado alas 5 p.m. ng Biyernes. Sabi nga ni Vergel Santos, chairman of the Board ng Businessworld, walang pinagkaiba yan sa mga korte na nagpapalabas ng arrest warrant hapon ng Biyernes para hindi makapiyansa ang akusado.

Kung ganito ang klase ang ating korte, ano ang mangyayari sa ating demokrasya?

Published inMediaWeb Links

31 Comments

  1. This is the essential part of the Laigo ruling:

    Under the given dangerous situation, that order issued by defendant PNP-NCRPO D. Geary Barias was lawful and appeared to have been disobeyed by all those, including some of the plaintiffs, when they intentionally refused to leave the hotel premises for which an appropriate criminal charge under Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code, which is applicable to all, including the media personalities, could have been initiated against them but they were so lucky as none had been initiated against them. This, their (plaintiffs Tordesillas, Deogracias, Hachero, Galvez and Santos) having been handcuffed and brought to Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City for investigation, and released thereafter was justified, it being in accord with police procedure.

    Anent those pronouncements made by the other defendants and that advisory of defendant Secretary Gonzales following that Manila Peninsula Hotel standoff, the same have not and will not in any way curtail much less avert plaintiffs from exercising freely their rights as such members of the press – covering or obtaining information on future events similar to what transpired at the Manila Peninsula Hotel.

  2. NUJP statement on the dismissal of the Manila Pen case

    The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines is dismayed with the decision of the Makati regional trial court dismissing the case filed by media organizations and practitioners against government and security personnel who were responsible for the arrest of our colleagues during the November 29 standoff in Makati.

    We do not agree with the decision and will contest it all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary. We view the court’s decision as a minor setback that will not discourage us from seeking justice and ensuring that no such injustice shall ever again be committed by the police and other security personnel.
    We maintain that there was absolutely no justification whatsoever for the security forces to haul off our colleagues, many in handcuffs, to the police headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa.

    We will continue to defy any and all attempts by this and any other administration to cow or muzzle us into abrogating our duty to provide the people, whom we serve, with the information they need to make informed decisions about their individual lives and our collective future as a nation.

    Jose Torres Jr.
    Chairperson

    Rowena Paraan

    Secretary-General

  3. asiandelight asiandelight

    if our current admin leverage its decision from majority,then the rule of law should have worked. there’s an obvious line between public and government agencies. government agencies are expected to provide services to the benefit of the public. it is obvious that rule of law in our country do not exist with Gloria. she has not done what she needs to be doing except using the wrong power that hurts so many. a good example:
    1.she’s not here to help and visit the victims. how insentitive.
    2. she and majority of her senate are not here to balance the justice system. call conference using high technology is not acceptable in our society.
    3. the people are being abandoned to their rights and needs.

  4. bitchevil bitchevil

    Since the power grab, most if not all decisions by the courts have been favorable to Arroyo, Malacanang, PNP, AFP and all those in power. We shall never get the justice we deserve under this evil regime.

  5. Diego K. Guerrero Diego K. Guerrero

    Ganyan ang rule of law sa marshmallow republic ni Gloria Arroyo. Malambot at walang direksion.

  6. parasabayan parasabayan

    Watch, this Laigo will soon be a Judge in a higher court or even one of Justices when another justice retires in 2009. Ito ang expertice ni Pandak, promotion or tons of money just to follow what she wants! Justice in the Philippines has long been dead! It died when this usurper took office, from day one!

  7. parasabayan parasabayan

    Ellen, this is another step taken by the evil bitch to control the media. Thru her crony Garcia, she was able to attack the Lopezes to tame ABS CBN. Ngayon naman kayo with the Manila Penn incident. This dictator midget continues to violate our contitution and our rights again and again!

  8. “Kung ganito ang klase ang ating korte, ano ang mangyayari sa ating demokrasya?”

    Patay and demokrasya!

  9. bitchevil bitchevil

    Watching Chavit Singson and Lito Atienza surrounding Manny Pacquiao every where he goes in Las Vegas makes me sick!

  10. parasabayan parasabayan

    BE, for all we know Pacman feels very sick with these two but when Pacman got himself into politics, he let these mafia get into his life. Now they are running his life forever! Very sad for Pacman but it is also his fault to be so ambitious in politics. He should first learn how to speak straight Pilipino and English baka pa maiintindihan siya ng mga tao. For now he should just do what he knows best, win another medal for our country in boxing!

  11. chi chi

    “Hindi lang sinabi ni Laigo na tama ang ginawa ng PNP. Swerte pa raw kami dahil hindi kami kinasuhan!” -Ellen

    Gosh, halatang walang maikatwirang matino si Laigo, katwiran ng impaktang babae iyan a. Sa linyang iyan ni Laigo ay sinabi na rin niya na: Basta, kayong journalists ang may kasalanan, period, kaya huwag na kayong umangal.

    Gloria has completely corrupted the courts. Umaalingasaw ang baho, puro daga na ang mga judges.

  12. bitchevil bitchevil

    The evil bitch finally met McCain…only for 15 minutes. It was the bitch who did most of the talking. McCain only replied a few “Thank You”. And what did the bitch talk about?
    Mindanao!

  13. chi chi

    Gloria is a stalker! Kakahiya, sabagay ay walanghiya ang impakta. Heaven na iyan sa bruha.

    Tiyak na talo na si antigo, bumigay ng personal kasi sa pressure ng babaeng stalker.

  14. rose rose

    From New York/ew Jersey Asian Journal(June 27-July 3, 2008)
    “Arroyo urges US lawmakers to end injustices to Pinoy was vets..what about her…why does she not end injustices in the Phil?”
    ..also from the same paper an article by Momar G. Visaya GMA Takes Manhattan: The President also reported on the relief operations being done in Manila “hindi natutulog ang National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) she said and added: “no wonder I’m accused of being a hands-on president..and rightfully so..” how about her mahimbing ang tulog niya kahit na maraming namamatay sa disaster..ano ang iniinom niya? Out of this world talaga ang putot na ito..

  15. rose rose

    corr: “to Pinoy war vets”
    ..ia this for real..Miriam will run for President in 2010 if she does not get a seat sa International Court? umang umang gid matuod…

  16. rose,
    Balita ng utol ko, nagsimba si Brad Pigg sa St. Patrick’s dahil birthday yata nung isang araw. Akala mo raw si Pope Benedict ang magsisimba sa dami ng mga alalay na nakakabit. Sa dismaya ng utol ko, lumabas na lang siya ng simbahan dahil baka magkasala lang daw siya.

    Nagdadasal habang kinukunan ng pictures at video, juicekopo!

  17. Sa pagkandidato ni Miriam, sige na please, kunin ninyo si Miriam para standard bearer ng Lakas-Kampi!

    Tutulong kaming ma-nominate siya! Ipetisyon na, ngayon na, daliii!

  18. rose rose

    Tongue: nakalagay sa schedule niya na she was going to attend mass at St. Pat 6/27 (Friday). Ang pagkaalam ko April ang birthday niya.
    ..Ito ang hindi ko maintindihan nagpunta siya NYSE..did she check on her stocks? At pagkatapos daw she visited Bellevue Hosp. and toured the place. Bellevue I think has a section for people with mental problems..bakit nag tour siya..who is going to go there? Sana nagbaiwan nalang si Brenda.

  19. rose rose

    From Phil News “thousands feared dead in typhoon’s twin tragedies; irate Arroyo wants answers”..Ito ang akin: Irate Flipinos want Gloria to answer:

    1) magkano ang ginastos ninyo sa work visit trip na ito?
    2) magkano ang ipidala ninyo na pera sa pagtulong sa mga nasawi?..

    ..re Bellvue: there are jokes about patients in mental hospitals claiming to be President.. Brenda is said to have announced that if she does not get a seat at the Internal Court she is going to run for President in 2010..mukha atang nagsasalita na siya na maging.Tiriring..tiriring..
    ..sa mga pictures niya most people who welcomed her at the UN Recewption, Consulate, etc. are employees or staff..talagang marami siyang alalay…

  20. bitchevil bitchevil

    Pacquiao Won !

  21. bitchevil bitchevil

    While the crowd chanted “Manny, Manny”, Pidal’s group chanted “Money, Money”!

  22. parasabayan parasabayan

    Paldo paldo na naman sila Sabit at Atienza. I heard that they bet milions!

  23. parasabayan parasabayan

    Off topic: I just saw the footage of the evil bitches’ meeting with McCain. The camera swung to the cabinet members who were with her. Nagtakipan ng mga mukha ang mga kasama ni pandak! Kunyari tinakpan yung bibig nung isa. Yung isa naman parang nagkakamot ng ilong para lang matakpan ang mukha! At yung isa eh kunyari nag-side view! Heh,heh,heh…alam ng mga kumag na ito na galit na galit ang mga tao sa kanila!

  24. Rose:

    Si Brat Pig ang may birthday hindi si Gloria Piggy Dorobo. Bakit kailangan pa ang mga escort ng mga iyan e hindi naman Pilipinas ang NYC at saka hindi naman siya kilala ng mga kano! Kahit nga maglakad si Gloria Dorobo sa Brooklyn or sa Bronx, walang papansin sa kaniya unless na magpapansin siya. Hibang na talaga ang mga animal. Trying hard to line themselves with the famous royalties in the world.

  25. O magkano ang abuloy ni Fuckyao sa mga biktima ni Fengshen? Baka dura naman ang ipukol ng kumag sa mga kababayan niya lalo na iyong mga kababayan ng mga magulang niyang bisaya din. Dapat diyan sabihin doon sa mga kalaban ni Fuckyao that if they want fair boxing sa Cancun na lang gawin kung Mexicano ang kalaban. Mukhang may daya sa Las Vegas dahil matataas ang bet ng palakpak brigade ng mga Piggy Dorobo.

  26. Off topic, but Inquirer reports, “Santiago: ‘I may run for president to terrorize foes'” Abaw, talaga palang malaki ang sira sa ulo ng taong ito. Loko-loko na lang ang boboto sa lukaret na iyan sa totoo lang.

    Please maawa naman kayo sa Pilipinas at sa mga pilipino. Huwag ninyo nang paupuin pa si Brenda sa kahit na anong position. Let’s all write to the ICJ to throw her application in the waste basket. Mapapahiya lang ang mga pilipino pag pinagbigyan iyan.

  27. bitchevil bitchevil

    Pacquiao said he was dedicating the fight to the victims. He didn’t say how much he was going to donate. How could his victory help the victims???

  28. A, bitchevil, idine-dicate pala ni Pacquiao. Dinig ko kasi “didikit” daw sabi ni Manny.

    grizzy,
    hindi makapamasyal sa Queens yung bruha. Malalaking paso ng matitinik na halaman ang ilalaglag sa kanya doon ng Pinoy community na karamihan may mga negosyo doon. Karamihan Ilokano.

    rose,
    bad trip yang si Pandak, may nunal na sa mukha, may balat pa sa puwit. Kakabili ko lang ng oil stocks akalain mong Pumasyal lang sa NYSE ang demonya, pati oil bumagsak e na-break na nga yung $

  29. What happened? biglang nag-submit. May mumu na naman?

    Ulit:

    rose,
    bad trip yang si Putot, may bangaw na sa mukha, may balat pa sa puwit. Kakabili ko lang ng oil stocks akalain mong pumasyal lang sa NYSE, bagsak ng 300 points ang Dow-Jones pati oil nalaglag e kaka-break lang ng $140 barrier. Salot talaga yan, layasssss!

    Si Tabatsoy ang nagbertdey sa St. Pat. Si St. Patrick ba yung nagpalayas ng mga ahas? E bakit nandoon pa yang mga walangyang ulupong?

  30. rose rose

    I just got back from the Phil-Am Frindship Day celebration. After the parade may entertainment..may araw kaya tuwang tuwa kami na hindi thunderstorm and rain as was predicted. Biglang dumilim (ang bilis) at bumuhos ang ulan at ang lakas ng hangin nagsi tumba ang mga chairs at ang tent bumagsak. Underneath the area is Hudson River..hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin. But just as quickly it came..tumigil ang ulan..Sa mga sulat sa akin from Sibalom, Antique ganito ang nangyari.

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