NUJP: Sotto 'overstepping bounds' in request to take down Pepsi Paloma stories

MANILA, Philippines — The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines on Saturday said Senate President Vicente Sotto III is attempting to suppress the freedom of the press in his request for an online news outfit to take down stories on his alleged involvement in a decades-old rape case.

NUJP condemned Sotto’s move after US-based columnist Rodel Rodis' Facebook post containing Sotto’s letter request circulated online. Rodis said that deletion of the stories would set a dangerous precedent.

In his May 29 letter, Sotto requested Inquirer.net to remove three stories — two of which Rodis wrote — published in 2014 and in 2016 linking him to the case of the alleged rape of teen actress Pepsi Paloma. The actress was found dead in her apartment in 1985, three years after the alleged rape.

The senator said he believes “there was malicious imputation of a crime against me” and complained that the stories “have been negatively affecting my reputation for the longest time.”

Abelardo Ulanday, publisher and editor-in-chief of the news website, said Sotto was within his rights to make the request, which other people have also done in the past.

"We have acted on these requests judiciously and made decisions based on our own investigation and based on our journalistic values and principles," Ulanday said, adding no decision has been made on Sotto's request. He also said the company had nothing to do with Rodis' decision to post the letter online.

Sotto, in his letter, clarified that he was requesting, and not demanding, removal of the stories. 

“Please note that I am making this appeal without the intention of trampling on your freedom of speech or of the press,” Sotto’s letter sad.

NUJP: Sotto 'overstepping bounds'

NUJP said that it understands the senator’s discomfiture with the articles, but said that it feels the Senate president is "overstepping his bounds."

The group also said that he blamed the case on the late actress’ manager, Rey dela Cruz, who is no longer around to dispute the claim. Sotto's denial had been reported on.

"We point out that all three articles Sotto wants taken down would have not been posted had they not gone through Inquirer.net's stringent vetting and editing," NUJP said.

NUJP also questioned Sotto’s sudden request when the articles were first uploaded four years ago.

“Why, too, didn’t he raise hell when the articles were first uploaded in 2014? Or does he believe his status and authority as senate president give him better chances of having the stories taken down?” NUJP said.

It is unclear whether Sotto had written Inquirer.net to make similar requests when the articles originally came out.

Sotto took his oath of office as senate president on May 21.

The NUJP urged the publication to do the right thing and assert its independence and uphold the freedom of the press and of expression. 

The stories remain accessible online as of this post.

—Rosette Adel