LP lawmakers: ‘Malacañang must learn to respect dissenting views’

Sen. Bam Aquino calls for an end to bullying those who disagree with the administration.  (File photo by INQUIRER.net)

“Malacañang must learn to respect dissenting views,” Liberal Party members said on Tuesday following reports that a journalist had been barred from entering the Malacañang Palace.

“Empowered journalists are crucial in our fight against disinformation and fake news,” Sen. Bam Aquino said. “Malacañang must learn to respect dissenting views. Tama na ang pananakot sa mga hindi sumasang-ayon sa administrasyon [Enough of bullying those who disagree with the administration].”

The LP lawmaker said the media should be allowed to do its job “without undue pressure.”

Former Rep. Erin Tañada also called on the journalists and press freedom advocates to denounce the action against Rappler reporter Pia Rañada as this could produce a chilling effect, especially on critics of the Palace.

“Ito’y isang bagay na hindi puwedeng palampasin lang. Ang bagay na ito ay puwedeng sapitin ng sinuman [We simply cannot let this pass. Anyone can suffer the same fate],” Tañada, Partido Liberal vice president for external affairs, said.

Roque says Rappler can cover Palace

But in a Palace briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) clarified that Rappler could cover Malacañang pending its appeal with the Court of Appeals on the revocation of its license to operate.

“While pending the appeal, Rappler can cover Malacañang,” Roque said after consulting with the OES.

Administration officials recently hit Rappler and the Inquirer for reporting issues critical of Duterte and his officials, including the latest controversy on the P18-billion acquisition of Philippine Navy frigates allegedly involving Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go. /atm