Live coverage gains support

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

THE Cebu City Council and the executive judge of Cebu’s Regional Trial Court joined yesterday the calls for the live coverage of the Maguindanao massacre trial.

The Supreme Court (SC) decided to defer its ruling on the petition.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

But in its special session, the City Council approved a resolution asking the SC, President Benigno Aquino III and the Department of Justice to ensure transparency in the court proceedings and better protection for witnesses.

The council’s resolution came on the first anniversary since 57 persons were gunned down and dumped in a mass grave in Datu Ampatuan, Maguindanao. A 58th person is believed to have died in the same assault, but his body remains missing.

Government must bring those responsible for the killing to justice, whoever they may be, the council said in its resolution, drafted by Councilor Alvin Dizon.

Also yesterday, Cebu Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Meinrado Paredes expressed support for live media coverage of the trial, saying it will enable the public to follow the case closely and stay vigilant.

He said live coverage would not necessarily result in a trial by publicity.

President Benigno Aquino III, in a letter last Monday, asked Chief Justice Renato Corona to allow the live coverage of the Maguindanao massacre trial.

He also issued Proclamation No. 73 declaring Nov. 23 a National Day of Remembrance for the victims.

The SC earlier prohibited live coverage of the trial and the use of electronic devices to record court proceedings presided over by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis Reyes.

Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said the petition the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) filed presented a good opportunity for a reversal of the 1991 SC decision that prohibits the live coverage of any court
proceedings.

The NUJP filed its petition before the SC last Friday, citing the public’s right to information.

The international Committee to Protect Journalists has described the Maguindanao massacre as the single deadliest event for journalists in history. Thirty-two of those killed were media workers.

Journalists met in Cebu City yesterday to discuss how they can work with communities for their safety, in the “Journalists Under Fire” exhibit held at the Marcelo Fernan Cebu Press Center.

Also yesterday, the PRO Rights group launched in Cebu City its Black Ribbon Crusade to mark the first anniversary of the massacre.

The crusade appealed for justice not only for the victims of the Maguindanao massacre, but also for at least 1,000 victims of abductions and murder, and the 215, many of them activists, who remain missing.

“We seek something we ought to have achieved before. Justice remains the cry of the people,” said Dennis Abarrientos of the human rights group Karapatan. He said the crusade aims to enlighten the current administration so that human rights victims get the justice they deserve.

Relatives of the victims gave their testimonials during the launch, which ended with an offering of lighted candles and the unveiling of the Black Ribbon streamer marked “Justice Now.” (With Clarrise J. Dumagan, SWU Intern)