Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri during one of the Senate’s plenary sessions. Senate PRIB file photo / Voltaire F. Domingo
MANILA, Philippines — Help us beautify the image of the Philippines, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri told the media on Monday.
Zubiri made the call after he was asked for his reaction to the United Nations – Human Rights Council’s calling out of the Philippines due to the country’s war on drugs.
“Ano ba ‘yun, ang tagal na ng issue na ‘yan. Lumang tugtugin na yan,” he said.
(That is a long-standing issue. That’s an old tune.)
He then brought up the issue of media killings, including the recent murder case of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa, which he said has “the full force of the law.”
Lapid, a broadcaster critical of the administrations of former President Rodrigo Duterte and incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., was ambushed and killed in Las Piñas City.
“Ang bilis-bilis naresolba nung kaso ni Percy Lapid. It is the fastest that I’ve seen. Within a month’s time, meron na nga silang nahuli na mastermind,” he said.
(The case of Percy Lapid has been solved quickly. It is the fastest that I’ve seen. Within a month’s time, they already caught a mastermind.)
Like Lapid’s case, Zubiri said that the case of former Senator Leila de Lima is moving.
He then appealed to the media to beautify the country’s image as negative news reaches other nations.
“I appeal to the media, tulungan niyo naman kami na pagandahin ang imahe ng Pilipinas,” Zubiri said.
(I appeal to the media, to help us beautify the Philippines’ image.)
“Katulad noong Percy Lapid na iyan, nahuli na nga iyong bumaril at mahuhuli na nga iyong mastermind. Tumulong naman kayo i-announce ‘yan sa buong mundo,” he said in a press conference.
(Like that Percy Lapid case, the gunman has been arrested and the mastermind will soon be caught. Help us announce that to the whole world.)
Noting the country’s “free media,” Zubiri said that news containing the people’s complaints can be aired in the Philippines. However, he cited Malaysia and Vietnam as nations where bad things against the government cannot be aired.