Torrents of tributes for icon of PH journalism

TRIBUTES from senators, politicians and public officials poured in on Christmas Day over the passing of Philippine Daily Inquirer editor in chief Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc. The woman at the helm of the Inquirer for 24 years died on Thursday.

Former Human Rights Commission chair Etta Rosales said she was heartbroken by the passing of her school bus mate at St. Paul’s College.

“As childhood friends, we were both ‘military brats’ who pledged to support reforms in the security sector because our parents were officers who happened to be family friends,” the former Akbayan party-list representative recalled.

“Our school bus was a ‘weapons carrier’ that brought us to grade school daily …. [D]uring martial law … she had always stood by human rights until the very end,” Rosales said in a text message.

Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. described Magsanoc as “a venerable icon of Philippine journalism, who was among those who fought the (Marcos) dictatorship and persevered with those who made possible the triumph of the Edsa People Power Revolution.

Exemplary editor

“She will be remembered for her principled advocacy of the power of mass media in demanding public accountability. May her cherished memory remind media practitioners to be vigilant in rejecting attempts by vested interests to muddle the truth.”

Sen. Loren Legarda mourned the loss of a “sincere, caring friend,” who was also “an exemplary editor and esteemed journalist.”

“We will all go one day, but Letty’s passing surely leaves a void and tugs at the heart,” she said.

On behalf of the Senate, Senate President Franklin Drilon thanked Magsanoc for her achievements and service to the country “as one of the greatest Filipina journalists who ever lived.”

Drilon described Magsanoc as a “gift to Philippine journalism” and said he had no qualms helping her out because of his trust and respect for her.

“Letty was a journalist in the truest sense of the word, who was always able to get the facts in a manner that was never unfair nor abusive. I never hesitated to help her out and share even secret information, knowing full her respect for confidentiality of sources,” Drilon said.

Beacon of hope

Describing Magsanoc as “a bright beacon of hope and truth” during the “darkest days of press freedom” in the martial law years, the senator said the editor’s leadership of the Inquirer had an impact on the course of government.

“As (the) editor of the country’s paper of record, PDI, her sound editorial decisions helped determine the course of government policy, helping bring much-needed attention to problems faced by Filipinos everywhere,” he said.

“May her works and deeds inspire future generations,” Drilon said.

Sen. Grace Poe also paid tribute to Magsanoc’s contributions to journalism, citing “her courage, dedication and incisiveness that significantly contributed to the freedoms that the Filipino people enjoy today.”

In a statement, Poe described Magsanoc as “a woman for all generations of Filipinos,” and said her “spirit will live on in the journalists, advocates and influencers she (had) touched with her brand of fearless but responsible journalism, as well as in every Filipino who believes in truth, transparency and accountability.”

Tough act to follow

Magsanoc is a “tough act to follow,” according to Sen. Sonny Angara, who posted his message of condolences on his Twitter account shortly after the announcement of her demise on Christmas Eve.

Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV also sent his condolences and that of the Office of the Ombudsman to the late editor’s family and loved ones thru his Twitter account.

Liberal Party vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo described Magsanoc as “one of the pillars of journalism and press freedom in the country … a great patriot and a maverick (who) helped shape this nation’s history and narrative.”

“I met her recently during a round-table discussion with PDI (editors),” Robredo recounted. “She was very warm and accommodating. She even provided me some advice, which (has been) very helpful to my vice presidential run.”

The Camarines Sur representative added: “My family joins the Filipino people in thanking the Jimenez-Magsanoc family for Letty’s life and service to our country.”

Waited past midnight

A presidential aspirant, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte recounted how he waited for Magsanoc “to be through with her tasks way past midnight” so she could join the Inquirer editors’ round-table meeting middle of this year because he has “so much respect for her.”

In a statement, the mayor said he “was not surprised when she asked my (stand) on the freedom of information bill considering her unyielding position to public accountability and transparency.”

“Without batting an eyelash, I told her I am all for it,” Duterte said. “I will honor that commitment I made to her because I know she wanted it not for herself but for the country she committed all her life to.”

End of an era

Magsanoc’s passing, ironically on Christmas Eve, “marks the end of an era,” the mayor said, adding that the late editor “was one of the leading lights in the struggle for press freedom during the Marcos years … (and) unlike other freedom fighters, who succumbed to indifference and sometimes bitterness, she never lost her zest for life and optimism.

“And unlike others who (had) been thrust into a position of power, she shunned influence and privilege like a plague. I believe these are the reasons she remained credible until the end,” said the PDP-Laban standard-bearer.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) also affirmed Magsanoc’s pivotal role in fighting for press freedom.

“Letty will always be remembered as one of the brave few who, despite the tremendous difficulties, not to mention dangers, dared to insist on the independence of the press when the dictator Ferdinand Marcos decreed that its sole role was to sing paeans to his draconian New Society,” the NUJP said.

“As editor of Panorama, the magazine of the Manila Bulletin, Letty oversaw the conversion of the publication from a dispenser of useless lifestyle fluff into a feisty journal that twitted dictatorship at every opportunity until Marcos eventually had her fired.

Popular resistance

“In 1983, following (Sen.) Ninoy Aquino’s assassination, she was invited to take the helm of Mr. & Ms. Special Edition, one of the publications that became instrumental in pushing the depredations of strongman rule, which only the ‘mosquito press’ had previously dared cover, into the mainstream of public consciousness, thus helping foment the popular resistance that would culminate in the 1986 People Power uprising that restored democratic processes to the country.

“With her at the helm, the Inquirer defiantly fought an advertising boycott called by then President Joseph Estrada in 2000. Letty had stood firm in the constant struggle for a free and independent press to her last breath.

“It is thanks to the example set by Letty and others who refused to allow press freedom to be swallowed by the darkness of totalitarian rule, among them Joe Burgos, NUJP founder Tony Nieva, Alfredo Navarro Salanga, that the tradition of independent Philippine journalism continues to thrive to this day despite the continued efforts, helped in no small part by official apathy and inaction, to silence us. Maraming salamat, Letty.”

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda called Magsanoc “a pillar of freedom in the Philippines” who left a “lasting imprint” on him as an Ateneo sophomore who heard her speak courageously against the abuses of the Marcos regime.

“Without her knowing, she moved me (then only 16) towards the anti-fascist movements where I ended (up) with the subversive Jesuit, Archie Intengran.”

Another presidential candidate, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, also took to her Twitter account to offer her “deepest condolences to the loved ones Ms Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc left behind, including the men and women on @Team_Inquirer,” she said, tagging the Twitter account of the newspaper. With reports from Germelina Lacorte, Inquirer Mindanao; Leila B. Salaverria, Gil Cabacungan, Jerry Esplanada and Niña P. Calleja