ID please

I really do not understand why Judge Soliver Peras, who is handling the parricide case against Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association leader Ruben Ecleo Jr., is requiring the media to submit 1x1 ID pictures to be able to cover the trial.

For those who are not familiar with the issue, there is an ongoing conflict between Judge Peras and the members of the Media Alliance for Law, Liberty, Equality and Truth, or MALLET, the organization of reporters covering the justice beat. Judge Peras issued an order requiring the media to submit a list of the names of reporters who will cover the case and for the reporters to submit a 1x1 ID picture for "cross-matching" with their press cards. These requirements are needed for the reporters to cover the Ecleo trial, and, according to Judge Peras, for security reasons.

The members of MALLET asked the judge to reconsider his order, saying that submitting ID pictures is also a security risk on their part, considering that Ruben Ecleo, the accused, has so many fanatics and that there have been many instances in the past where members of the media were harassed by these followers. MALLET members argued that the press cards are enough the identify members of the media who want to cover the trial. And besides, the reporters that cover the justice beat know each other and the sources in the beat, the lawyers, judges, clerks of court also know these reporters.

Which is why I really do not understand why the extra requirement of an ID picture for "cross-matching."

All legitimate members of the media have company issued IDs, which either have PRESS or MEDIA written in bold letters. This is so for easy identification when covering events.

Admittedly, there are many unscrupulous people who fake press cards and use these fake IDs to get favors. The FREEMAN had received so many reports about fake FREEMAN press cards being used by some people to get overnight stays in resorts in different areas in the province, to enjoy free meals or to enjoy free entrance to an event. These unscrupulous people who use fake press cards are the very reason why the media in Cebu, particularly the reporters covering the different beats, have organized and formed groups. This way, the sources in the different beats would easily identify the legitimate members of the media from those who are just posing as media practitioners.

If Judge Peras is concerned about security during the Ecleo trial, requiring the media to submit ID pictures for "cross-matching" with their press cards is not the solution. With all due respect Judge Peras, the media is not the security risk here. The threats to security in the Ecleo trial, as has been proven in the past, are the fanatic followers of the accused. So, why make it hard for the media to cover the trial?

Besides, the Ecleo case is open to the public. It is not listed among the cases that are not open for media coverage. Aside from the media, other people who are interested to find out about the proceedings can actually attend the hearing. So, again, why the requirement for the media to submit additional identification materials?

If Judge Peras wants to make sure that the reporters covering the trial are legitimate members of the media, he could just require the media to wear their press cards when covering the trial. If the judge doubts any of the reporters who enter the courtroom, he could always ask security or his staff to check that person's ID and if still, he is not satisfied, he could always ask someone from his staff to call the media organization where that person belongs to and ask if he or she is a legitimate member of the media outfit.

This is a tedious process but hey, if the judge wants to ensure security, then the process is worth it and there won't be any need for submitting ID pictures for "cross-matching." Just a simple "ID, please," at the entrance of the courtroom would do.

And maybe, if Judge Peras is really concerned about security during the Ecleo trial, he should also require other people attending the proceedings to present and wear their IDs, too. This way, he will know everyone in the courtroom.

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