Saturday, March 17, 2018

Duterte takes aim at the press, testing the foundations of Philippine democracy

When one of the Philippines' most prominent journalists is not busy running a newsroom, she is busy wondering about her next day in court.

Maria Ressa, a former CNN bureau chief who founded a successful digital news start-up, Rappler, is more accustomed to sitting on panels about press freedom than preparing for possible arrest.

But ever since President Rodrigo Duterte railed against her company in a state-of-the-nation speech last year, the walls have been closing in. Rappler was called out by the president. Investigated. Called out again. Investigated again. "It's a blatant abuse of power," Ressa said.

Ressa and Rappler are at the center of a fight over the future of press freedom in the Philippines that is testing the foundations of Philippine democracy.

It is a fight that resonates far beyond this U.S. ally, as the world comes to grips with a new breed of populist authoritarians who bask in positive coverage and decry the rest as "fake news."

When President Donald Trump met Duterte in Manila last November, for instance, the Philippine president called reporters trying to ask questions about human rights "spies." Trump's response? A laugh, according to the transcript.

Duterte was elected in 2016 on a promise to kill suspected drug users and dealers. In the nearly two years since, thousands and thousands have indeed been shot. The violence has spurred global condemnation and a preliminary examination by the International Criminal Court, but domestic opposition has been weak.

Duterte largely controls his country's Congress, Senate, Supreme Court and national security forces. The Philippines' vibrant press was the last bastion of open debate about the "war on drugs." Now that is under threat, too.

In Manila, there is a growing sense that the institutions of Philippine democracy are giving way as Duterte's rule becomes increasingly personalized and authoritarian.

"I am very worried," said John Nery, associate editor and opinion columnist at the Philippine Daily Inquirer, one of the country's largest newspapers. "It's at the point where Duterte, confronting a journalist, said, 'Press freedom is a privilege in a democracy.' But it's one of our very first freedoms."

Like populist authoritarian leaders elsewhere, Duterte has a complicated relationship with the media — courting it when convenient and targeting it when not.

As the mayor of the southern city of Davao and then as a presidential candidate, he relied on coverage of his violent and misogynistic rhetoric to help build his macho persona and keep him in the news. As president, he has enjoyed the spotlight, his every speech and rude retort live-streamed to the world.

But he also has railed against the press in ways that are revealing — and deeply worrying to reporters and editors.

The Philippines has long been a dangerous place to be journalist; since 1986, 177 media workers have been killed here.

As president-elect, Duterte said murdered journalists must have "done something" to meet a violent end. "You won't be killed if you don't do anything wrong," he said.

Journalists who "disrespect" others are not necessarily protected from violent attacks, he said. "That can't be just freedom of speech. The constitution can no longer help you if you disrespect a person."

Since taking office, Duterte has threatened to block the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, a major television station that has at times has been critical of police-led violence linked to his anti-drug campaign. He also has taken aim at the Philippine Daily Inquirer's coverage. "I'm not trying to scare you, but one day karma will catch up with you," the president warned both outlets in March 2017.

Months later, the Inquirer's owner said it would sell its stake to a billionaire ally of the president, a move seen by local and foreign analysts as a forced retreat.

"The sale of the Inquirer to a businessman friend of Duterte is worrying," Ressa said. "The Inquirer has weathered other administrations. Here it buckled without firing a shot."

Reporters, rights groups and foreign diplomats said that media outlets are now worried about becoming his next target if — as Duterte put it — they get too "rude."

For Ressa and Rappler, the trouble began around the time of the 2016 presidential election, when Ressa and others started getting harassed and threatened by pro-Duterte social media accounts.

This was not ordinary Internet harassment but coordinated streams of messages, including death and rape threats, that the organization has since traced back to Facebook groups and blogs that helped get Duterte elected.

Ressa calls it the "weaponization" of social media.

"It created a chilling effect on journalists, critics, any person who questions the extrajudicial killings," she said.

In July 2017, Duterte used his first state-of-the-nation address to call out Rappler, implying without citing evidence that it was not Filipino-owned.

The country's Securities and Exchange Commission opened an investigation into Rappler's ownership structure. By January, the commission had revoked Rappler's license — a speedy decision that was denounced by journalists and rights groups as political. Rappler has continued to operate while an appeal is being heard.

The move against Rappler "was politically motivated," said one senior Western diplomat in Manila who was not authorized to speak to the media and spoke on the condition of anonymity. "The case is a bit complicated, but to come up with a ruling that quick has never been done."

Soon after, Rappler's star political reporter, Pia Ranada, was blocked from covering presidential events. The Duterte administration first said it was due to the revocation but later admitted that Duterte was simply "irritated" at her.

A presidential security official later said Ranada should consider herself lucky that security personnel did not hurt her when she was "disrespectful" to the guard who turned her away an event.

Most recently, with the Securities and Exchange Commission case at the court of appeals, the government announced it is investigating Rappler for allegedly evading $2.5 million in taxes. Ressa called the move "ludicrous."

Duterte's government insists it has nothing to do with the cases filed against Rappler but continues to call its reports "fake news." After calling press freedom a privilege, Duterte said in January, "You have overused and abused that privilege."

"If rule of law existed, no cases would be filed," countered Ressa. "It's another mark against democracy."

Bianca Umali marks milestone

Bianca Umali
Tonight at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Bianca Umali celebrates a significant milestone, her 18 birth anniversary. The Kapuso star who topbills the toprating primetime series “Kambal, Karibal” marked her actual birthdate last March 2 when her co-stars and production team of the series gave her a surprise birthday party.

This is only the second time that Bianca is celebrating her birthday with a big party (the first was when she turned seven) and so she practically did all the planning and execution of the details. “Once in a lifetime lang kasi ang debut so its really very special.” She will be wearing gowns by Dubai-based Filipino designer Fay Reyes.

Participating in the 18 Candles are family and friends. In the 18 Roses, among them are Miguel Tanfelix, Joey Abacan and Ryan Agoncillo. Her first dance will be with Joey Abacan (who is like a father to her) and her last dance will be with her perennial screen partner Miguel.

Now that she’s an adult, Bianca looks forward to more challenges and growth in her showbiz career. It doesn’t mean however that she will doing more mature roles. “No mature roles naman agad, gusto ko dahan-dahan lang. But I expect to do out-of-the-box roles. Im sure there will be different projects for me this year.”

Bianca will continue working on her advocacies, especially education. In 2016, she and Miguel participated in the “Pass A Book Ni Biguel” project wherein they invited their followers to donate pre-loved books which will be donated to chosen public schools. In 2017, Bianca was hailed as World Vision Ambassador for Education.

Now that she enters adulthood, Bianca promises to do more of what is expected of her.

“I am entering the adult life and that is a bit intimidating, but if I keep learning and getting support from the people I love, I don’t have to worry. I have goals I want to achieve and I’m excited to discover more of myself as I accomplish each of them.”

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Timely topic

It’s very timely the topic being tackled in the Kapuso Primetime show “Sherlock Jr.” which is the millennials’ fondness with chatting on the internet. Marc Abaya’s character is the “killer chat mate” who Jack (Ruru Madrid) and Pido (Andre Paras) are looking for.

Being victimized are young girls chatting with new friends on the internet, the latest of whom is Jack’s sister Jenny (Kate Valdez). Will Jack and Pido be able to catch “killer chat mate?”

“Sherlock Jr” airs weeknights after “24 Oras” ON GMA Telebabad.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, March 17, go to former Mayor Jerry Pelayo, Ronnie Salonga, Maria Lanot, Brenda Reyes, Tony Bernal, Cielo Rivera, Teri Maniquis, Dr. Elmo Belaro, Pat Camacho, Menchie Osial, Ma. Jocelyn Bordador, Tessie Villarama, Paolo Bediones and Arnell Ignacio…Happy wedding anniversary to Jonee Berwyn and Antonio Procalla… March 18: Former Pres. Fidel V. Ramos, Celeste Legaspi, Lara Chica, Diana Go, Jose Antonio Recio, Patricia Bata, Erlinda Sabido, Wilfredo Gerilla, Robert Tabor III, Eden Dandan, Baby K. Jimenez and Gian SottoMarch 19: Girlie Rodis, Joey Albert, Kaj Rebano, Josie Vergel de Dios, Josie Tobias, Juna Cadungog, Oteph Antipolo, Nena Sunico, Jocelyn Gerilla, Tina Tolentino, Joy Conde Cruz, Carlos Marcillus Funelas, Mon Confiado, Joyce Liquicia and Julia Montes