Palace on Rappler ban: Duterte doesn’t allow ‘disrespectful’ visitors in his home
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. announces, during a press conference at the Presidential Guest House in Panacan, Davao City on January 4, 2018, that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has decided to terminate the services of Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Marcial Quirico Amaro III upon verifying complaints that the administrator has made excessive trips overseas. Amaro’s termination from the service is part of the President’s commitment to eliminate graft and corruption in government.
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. likened the chief executive’s order to bar a Rappler journalist from entering the whole presidential complex to a home owner who wants rude visitors out of his home.
“We cannot allow anyone into the president’s home especially a person who insists on disrespecting the home by reporting fake news,” Roque said in a press briefing in Sara, Iloilo Thursday.
The president’s mouthpiece insisted that Rappler reporter Pia Randa was banned from the presidential complex for allegedly writing a so-called "fake news" regarding the involvement of the president’s right hand man, Christopher "Bong" Go, in the controversial Navy frigate deal.
“The president’s liberality ceased because of her insistence that her ‘fake news’ was in fact news. It’s not really the fact that she reported fake news but her insistence after the Senate hearing that her story was still true,” Roque said.
He added: “He’s had very good relations with Pia Ranada and he felt that he should be the last to be victimized by ‘fake news.’”
Roque, who was once an advocate of press freedom, maintained that the president’s order is not an attack on press freedom.
He noted that the decision also stemmed from Rappler’s uncertain status as a Filipino corporation.
READ: Roque to Rappler: Fix ownership, reporting issues before calling for press freedom
Responding to a question on whether the decision means that any news organization which publishes stories that displease the president will be barred too, Roque said: “Bihira po ang magagandang write-up sa presidente, hindi naman kayo na-ba-ban.”
In a statement, Rappler said the move of the chief executive is a “clear case of intimidation.”
READ: Rappler tells Roque: Ban a clear case of intimidation
Rappler has been one of the most critical media outfits under Duterte, often publishing stories that put the president, his men and his policies under intense scrutiny.
Several media groups backed Rappler, saying the decision is a blatant attack on press freedom.
READ: NUJP: Palace ban on Rappler reporter shows 'extreme pettiness'
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