Maliksi to media rights groups: Don’t protect ‘bogus journalists’

TRECE MARTIRES CITY — Cavite Gov. Ayong Maliksi appealed to media rights groups not to condemn him for filing libel cases against three weekly community newspapers which he said have discredited his name, caused him dishonor and embarrassment, and calculated to take away the support, sympathy and patronage of his constituency.

"I call on the International Federation of Journalists and the Committee to Protect Journalists to investigate these libel cases that I have filed against the three newspapers — Asianstar Express Balita, Katapat, and Peryodiko — before (they) judge my intentions or else (they) are protecting bogus journalists," he said in a statement.

Maliksi was reacting to a statement by Brussels-based IFJ president Christopher Warren that defamation cases filed by government officials were "meant to silence journalists" after the arrest of Asianstar publisher Rudy Apolo last Monday.

According to Maliksi, contrary to Warren’s accusations, his act against what he called the "bogus press" is not meant to kill the freedom of speech of journalists but for truth and responsible journalism to prevail.

"I believe that every responsible journalist must abide by a certain code of ethics. I am aware that on top of the list is truthful reporting and recognizing the duty to air both sides of the story," he said.

"In the case of the three newspapers, they have clearly violated this by publishing unverified information furnished by unnamed sources, not identifying themselves as the actual authors of the articles, and not even getting any statement from my camp to present both sides of the story," he added.

Maliksi said the best proof that these newspapers clearly intended "to ensure wider coverage in pursuance of their criminal design to defame, libel, insult and discredit" him in public is that "all stories appearing in the three (were) identical, word per word, considering that they have different publishers."

"My belief is that the owners of these three newspapers have allowed themselves to be run by someone who has great intentions of ousting me. Otherwise, without financial backup, they cannot circulate in the whole province weekly with their own means or without the support of advertisers for more than two years now for free. The people of Cavite are aware of this and the truth will come out in the hearing of the cases," Maliksi said.

Asked about his reaction to the support given by second district Rep. Gilbert Remulla, younger brother of his political rival, Vice Gov. Jonvic Remulla, to the three newspapers, he said, "Do not act as if you are not aware of the truth."

Rep. Remulla earlier said he was saddened that Maliksi resorted to filing libel suits instead of proving his innocence of the charges hurled against him.