Senator Risa Hontiveros visits the family of slain broadcaster Percival Mabasa, popularly known as Percy Lapid on Monday, October 24, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Sen. Hontiveros’ office)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros has called on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to protect the kin of slain broadcaster Percy Lapid, saying that doing so would be a powerful statement in support of journalism and freedom of speech.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, Hontiveros urged authorities to protect the relatives of Lapid — Percival Mabasa in real life — particularly his immediate family and his brother Roy Mabasa who are being threatened by unknown parties.
According to Hontiveros, the Mabasas can’t rest easy and have stayed inside for fear for their safety.
“Tiwala po akong mabibigyang proteksyon at suporta ng gobyerno ang mga naulilang asawa at mga anak ni Percy sa lalong madaling panahon. Tandaan rin po natin na hindi lamang ito para sa kapanatagan ng pamilya Mabasa. Ito ay pagtindig rin para sa kalayaan sa pamamahayag, at para sa lahat ng mga journalist na biktima ng karahasan at kawalan ng katarungan,” she said.
(I am confident that the government can immediately provide protection to the widow and children of Percy Lapid. We should remember that this is not only for the sake of the Mabasa family, but it is also a stand for the freedom of the press, and for all journalists who were victims of harassment and injustice.)
“Nanawagan ako sa administrasyon (I call on the administration), protect the fourth estate from this reign of terror. Put an end to this gruesome death toll. Mr. President, our reporters, our media men, and women are not expendable,” she added.
The Senator also asked Marcos to address the issue head-on, saying that when a president speaks out on an urgent matter, his or her words carry the full weight of the chief executive’s authority and may be interpreted as representing official government policy.
“The President could speak on this matter alang-alang kay Ka Percy, alang-alang sa pamilya nila, alang-alang sa freedom of the press, sa panahon ngayon na hindi lang natin nilalabanan ang mga interpretasyon sa kasaysayan pero ipinaglalaban pa rin ‘yong mga batayang karapatan kasama na ‘yong freedom of the press,” she said.
(The President could speak on this matter for the sake of Ka Percy, for his family, and for the freedom of the press, especially during this time that we are not only fighting against historical revisionism but also for the upholding of baseline rights including freedom of the press.)
“Kung magsalita si Presidente personally tungkol sa kasong ito, hindi po magiging unwelcome iyon […] kung magsasalita siya I just hope, bilang isang mamamayan, magsasalita sila tungkol sa karahasan laban sa isang mamamayan, isa sa mga constituents sa bansang ito, at magsalita rin tungkol sa freedom of the press dahil ‘yon ‘yong isa na pinatay din kasabay ng pagpatay kay Ka Percy,” she added.
(If the President speaks on this issue personally, that would not be unwelcome. If he speaks, I just hope — as a Filipino — that he would speak on the violence against people, as a constituent of the country, and that he also speaks about the freedom of the press because the killing of Percy is a blow to free speech.)
Malacañang had issued several statements after the killing of Lapid, but it mostly came from officials like Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
READ: Bongbong Marcos to slain journalist’s kin: ‘We are ready to help’
But in a chance interview earlier, Marcos personally spoke on the issue, saying that he is not convinced that the middleman, Cristito Palaña — earlier identified as Crisanto Villamor — died of natural causes.
READ: Bongbong Marcos doubts ‘middleman’ in Percy Lapid slay died of natural causes
Palaña, an inmate at the New Bilibid Prison, is the middleman pointed by self-confessed suspect Joel Escorial. But after Escorial divulged the information to police about him, Palaña died supposedly due to natural causes.