Garcia wants copy of 'Corruption in Media'

CEBU, Philippines – Governor Gwendolyn Garcia wants to have the copy of the audio-video presentation, "Corruption in Media," so the Capitol can review it thoroughly and determine if there is a need to take action to clear its name or bribery allegations.

The governor has already directed provincial lawyer, Atty. Marino Martinquilla to communicate with Michelle So, executive editor of Sunstar, the lead convenor of this year's Press Freedom Week celebration and the people who are responsible for the production and presentation to ask for the copy of the material.

The audio-video presentation (AVP) was shown in one of the activities during the observance of the Press Freedom Week last month.

"It seems the presentation says that we are corrupting you members of media for bribery, and bribery is a serious crime. I have directed Atty. Martinquilla to formally ask for a copy so that we ourselves, the legal officers and consultants can assess, evaluate and to recommend to me if there is a need for action to be taken by the capitol to protect its name," Garcia said.

"We will request kay basin si Atty. Sepulveda wala lang to niya matan-aw og maayo and misinterpreted it, mas maayo kung i-view gyud na nato with all the members of our legal office as well as our consultants who are lawyers. Since I presume this has been shown for public viewing I don't see any problem why we should not be given a copy since apil man mi didto," she added.

Among those who saw the presentation was Capitol spokeman, Atty. Rory Jon Sepulveda.

"We have been informed that the Cebu Provincial Government was shown and put in bad light in the said presentation, tending to cause dishonor, discredit, or contempt, which is libelous as defined and punishable under the Revised Penal Code by presenting its practice of serving packed lunches to visitors, which at times include some Cebu Capitol beat reporters who happen to be around during lunch time, as a form of media corruption," a portion of the letter requesting for the copy of the AVP reads.

According to So, the video is co-produced by the Cebu Citizens Press Council (CCPC) and they are willing to give a copy of it to the Capitol to prove that they have nothing to hide.

"Since we have nothing to hide we will send him (Martinquilla) a copy of the video and we would also like to give him the copy of the script though he is not asking for it so that he can compare," So told The FREEMAN.

The governor said that focusing at the Capitol as the host of corruption, pinpointing at the pack lunches serve "since day one of my administration" as cause corruption in media is a very serious allegation.

"It is ironic that when you celebrate Press Freedom Week, some higher members of media inflict injustice upon their fellow members," she told reporters. (FREEMAN)