Violent treatment of media soon to become election offense, says PTFoMS

Presidential Task Force on Media Security head Paul Gutierrez FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Violence against the media will soon be included as an election offense, said the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) on Friday.

The PTFoMS said it will sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

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Under the Omnibus Election Code, there is no specific rule pertaining to a candidate’s treatment of the media.

“I am glad that [Comelec] Chairman [George] Garcia is fully supportive of the desire of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to create a safe environment for the country’s press, especially with the 2025 midterm election just around the corner,” PTFoMS Executive Director Paul Gutierrez said in a statement.

Garcia told INQUIRER.net that the MOA will be signed “next week.”

“Draft lang po namin MOA (We will just draft the MOA),” Garcia said.

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According to the PTFoMS, the agency also asked the Comelec to be part of media safety summits going forward.

“Moving forward, we can view this MOA as an initiative that would send a strong message to the public and the international community that the Philippines is committed to protecting press freedom and upholding democratic values and creating an informed citizenry,” Gutierrez said.