Duterte to protect pro-democracy journalists

MANILA, Philippines - Presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte vows to protect journalists who play a vital role in the country’s democracy if he wins in the May 9 elections.

Duterte said that the Filipino people could rely on the media when there is no credible opposition party, adding that the media expose the wrongdoings of government.

“The state must protect the media. In a democracy, the role of media is very important. In the absence of a credible opposition party, you can rely on the media,” Duterte said. 

Duterte’s remarks stemmed from the National Press Club (NPC) challenge to presidential candidates on their stand against media killings and impunity in the country.

“With only a few weeks remaining before the May 9 polls, we reiterate our call for them to say their piece and satisfy our eagerness to hear them speak and be heard for the sake of our murdered brothers and sisters in the profession and others like us who continue to dwell in fear in the face of these unabated killings,” NPC president Joel Egco said.

Duterte vowed to put up special courts and prosecution panels to handle cases of media killings if he will be elected, according to his spokesman Peter Laviña.

Laviña said that Duterte would also offer rewards and incentives for the immediate arrest, prosecution and conviction of the killers.

Egco cited on his official Facebook page that 146 journalists were killed in the Philippines over the past 25 years, with at least 30 victims during the time of President Aquino.

Meanwhile, 1BAP party-list Rep. Silvestre Bello III has endorsed Duterte after the lawmaker defected from the camp of presidential bet Vice President Jejomar Binay.

?Bello said after lengthy soul searching he finally decided to shift his support to Duterte, a long time friend since their student days.?

Bello, who hails from Binay’s home province of Cagayan, had earlier declared his support for Binay who is also his fraternity brother.

Binay’s mother, an Ybanag native, hails from Cabagan, Cagayan.

Bello said he has withdrawn his nomination from 1BAP that continues to support Binay.?

Bello’s relationship with Duterte lasted for decades when he stayed in Davao City having been married to a Davaoeña during the martial law years.

Duterte and his running mate Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano pushed for genuine reforms in the government during their campaign sorties in Quezon province.

In Catanauan, Quezon, Duterte reiterated his war against crime, corruption and illegal drugs and vowed to eradicate criminals in six months if he is elected.

Cayetano said this would be the start of genuine change and reform in the government.

He added that their administration would keep law and order and provide comfort and happiness to the people.

Cayetano promised during a dialogue with local coconut farmers that within 100 days of their administration the P74.3-billion coconut levy fund would be returned to the coconut farmers.

In Tayabas City, Duterte was mobbed after he alighted from his helicopter on the field of the Luis Palad National High School.

The police had a hard time controlling the crowd that tried to get close to Duterte who later proceeded with his group’s motorcade.

The convoy went to Silungang Bayan in the city proper and Duterte officially endorsed his local allies that included congressional candidate Kelly Portes, mayoralty bets Moises Villaseñor of Lucban and Roderick Umali of Tiaong.

Duterte’s son Sebastian said his father would not become a dictator if he becomes president.

“It won’t be a dictatorship, if you obey the law. He (Duterte) has been very radical and as a lawyer, when he says he will implement the law, he will do that,” the young Duterte added. – With Raymund Catindig, Michelle Zoleta, Danny Dangcalan