Cheche posts bail in wiretap case

MANILA, Philippines – Veteran broadcast journalist Cecilia “Cheche” Lazaro posted bail yesterday at the Pasay City Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC) in connection with the violation of the Anti-Wiretapping Act (Republic Act 4200) case filed against her by an official of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).              

Lazaro, through her lawyer, Ramon Songco, posted P12,000 bail at the sala of Judge Josephine Vito-Cruz of the Pasay MTC-Branch 47 to have the arrest warrant issued against her last Friday lifted.             

Lazaro, 63, said the case filed against her was meant to harass and silence journalists like her.

“This is a clear case of harassment and intimidation to silence journalists who want to get the truth of what is really happening. Why are they not answering questions? Why are they focusing on a matter like wiretapping? There is no wiretapping here,” she said.

In Malacañang, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said he is dispelling suspicion that the Palace had something to do with the case against Lazaro.

“We will monitor (the case) closely to ensure everything will be properly done and will not have a negative effect on press freedom,” he said.

Remonde said “the parties to the case have their own rights” and called on everyone concerned to “allow the case to proceed.”            

Ella Valencerina, GSIS vice president for public affairs, alleged that Lazaro illegally recorded and used as sound bites an interview that transpired between them concerning a group of teachers complaining about not receiving GSIS benefits.

The interview was aired on Nov. 12, 2008 in an episode of Probe, and a replay was shown on Nov. 16, 2008.  

Lazaro is the executive producer and host of Probe, which is aired over ABS-CBN and ANC.        

Lazaro, however, said the complainant knew the interview was being recorded and that the issue was not really about wiretapping but the welfare of the teachers.

Section 1 of Republic Act No. 4200 states that “it (is) unlawful for any person, not being authorized by all the parties to any private communication or spoken word, to tap any wire or cable, or by using any other device or arrangement, to secretly overhear, intercept, or record such communication.”

Eighteen other ABS-CBN network executives were included on the charge sheet but the cases against them were dropped.              

Officers and members of the Manila Public School Teachers’ (MPSTA) Inc. showed up at the court premises to throw their support for the broadcaster.              

MPSTA president Arsie Jallorina expressed gratitude to Lazaro for serving as a medium in which they were able to air their sentiments.              

The MPSTA reportedly has 11,000 members all over Metro Manila. They are spread in around 103 public elementary and high schools.              

ABS-CBN executives Maria Ressa and Charie Villa, together with the staff of the news magazine Probe, accompanied Lazaro when she submitted in court requirements pertinent to the case early afternoon yesterday. – With Paolo Romero