BACOLOD CITY — I saw Congressman Monico Puentevella on ANC’s “Media in Focus” hosted by Cheche Lazaro Thursday night. He was interviewed with U.P. Journalism Prof. Luis Teodoro and Sen. Aquilino Pimentel.

I was at DAILY STAR office at 6 p.m. when told Monico was on television. I want to report what I remember of what he said. He said his bill was not personal. But he also said his family was hurt.

He also said Manila is all right but media in the province is not. He cited Bacolod “where a political family owns a newspaper”. I have not heard him citing broadcast. He did not name the paper.

He also said he only asked for “fairness to apologize if we are wronged.” He also said it is also all right with him “if the Court does not agree with his bill.” He is also for decriminalizing libel.

When asked on the penalty that he enumerates on his bill which seemed too much, he said, this can be discussed.

He asked that some Manila people “go to Bacolod to lecture to Bacolod media on ethics and fairness”. If I miss something that he brought up kindly tell me.

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Now, on the issues and the points he brought up.

He said the bill is not personal. I believe that. Many in media believe for getting a national exposure, he might be preparing for a slate in the Senate lineup in 2010. He is critical but his name is in the national print and broadcast media.

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His family was hurt, he said. But, this was not the work of media which only reported. It was the city, his political enemies Bing Leonardia and Allan Zamora who refused his son’s bingo at SM. Media only reported. And their side was reported.

He also said the need for “fairness to apologize.” Who hurt him but did not apologize? Tell me of the fellow or fellows or the outlet and I will do the lambasting of these unfair people. We should police our rank. As an elder in the profession, I feel it is my duty to do so.

Yes, give me their names. I will take care of them. If they did not apologize, probably they were not told of their “fault”.

* * *

Monico also pointed out a “Bacolod paper owned by political family.” I don’t know which paper was he referring to. He did not name it. But, if he was alluding DAILY STAR, let the public know that he can be right because his beautiful, charming wife Josefa “Paching” Ramos-Dizon is also one of the original stockholders of DAILY STAR.

If he refers to the Leonardia family where Ninfa is the corporation president and editor-in-chief, the Leonardia family does not own DAILY STAR. It is owned by The Visayan Daily Star Publications Inc. organized on April 12, 1982 or 26 years ago by many of us and where have I sat as board chairman ever since.

Our people at DAILY STAR are very professional. I don’t intrude into their running of the paper because they are doing it right.

But, if Congressman Puentevella can cite just an instance where this paper was unjust or unfair to him and refused to air his side, I will investigate. His side was always sought, I know.

DAILY STAR is the Island’s biggest paper. I don’t know but one time in a meeting with newspaper distributors, we were told, combine all the national and local papers here multiply that by two, DAILY STAR is still bigger. We have the confidence of the public.

We will not throw away that confidence by being a political tool. That’s why I ask Congressman Puentevella to tell me where and when was DAILY STAR unfair to him. I thank him for bringing this out.

* * *

Decriminalizing libel? No! Personally I am not in favor. Let those who destroy reputation and the name of others to go to jail.

If politicians find difficulty convicting media people, it is because they are doing a good job of exposing anomalies.

We even need more protection for media people exposing anomalies. When the Philippines in the Corruption Perception Index of Transparency International is more corrupt than 140 countries out of 180, we need media to help in the job.

I reiterate my thanks to Congressman Puentevella for bringing this up.

One Response to “Monico on ‘Media in Focus’”

• 1
  peter jimenea
  October 11th, 2008 17:52

  Cong. Monico Fuentebella should not begrudge the media as public office is a minefield for criticism. He has been a part of the media industry before and I understand he knows what is fair and objective in reporting. If he believes to have been maligned by the reporter, he has recourse to law. But to let go of journalism, we will miss the promise of change, the beauty of accomplishment and the fulfillment of reform. Let’s not allow the pain of an issue destroy the joy of the rest.

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