Vulnerable

THE attempted murder on the person of radio broadcaster Orly Navarro of DWIZ has shown once again the vulnerability of media practitioners to such impunity by corrupt businessmen and politicians, drug lords and gambling lords.

Whether they attempt was caused by personal spite by persons with whom Mr. Navarro had disagreements is really of no consequence because what is of supreme import is the realization that another practitioner who helps keep the fire of press freedom alive could have been permanently shut off the air.  To say that it sends a chilling to a sector that practices one of the most hazardous professions today would be an understatement.

The truth is, journalists know too well that they invite violence each time they choose to practice journalism faithfully or use the practice for foul means. Unlike the soldiers and the policemen who are aware of the daily risks in their  profession but are trained and equipped for self defense are made to be accountable only to their superiors, the journalists who are left largely to fend for themselves are made accountable to their news subjects, readers, listeners and viewers.

An attempt, therefore on the life of a journalist cannot and should not be taken lightly by the government and the community he or she serves. Thank God, Mr. Navarro, survived the attack.  Others before him, including our founder Ermin Erfe Garcia, were not as fortunate as he to be allowed more opportunities to be of service to God, truth and country.

We, in The PUNCH, commend the members of the Dagupan police for their swift action that resulted in the early arrest of the gunman who will now be made to account for the injustice he caused Mr. Navarro and the community he serves.

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Veep Binay

 JOJO Binay is the perceived frontrunner in the 2016 presidential derby.  Thus, his foe/s must start pronto a demolition job against him to derail his destiny?  Seemingly, that sells.  But how about if part of the “demo job” is the charge versus Binay that he had allegedly pocketed millions due to an overprice of a building built when he was still Mayor of Makati, and the accuser is a non-contender for the top post of the land in 2016?  Will that wash?  Yes it will if the sub-committee of the Senate’s powerful Blue Ribbon committee chaired by Koko Pimentel will be able to build a case against Binay all the way to the Ombudsman.  President Aquino is proving to be a straight guy and the specter of a perceived crook possibly replacing P-Noy in 2016 could be frighteningly scary.

Thus, if Veep Binay survives this most acid test in his storied political life, 2016 for him might just prove to be a mere walk in the park.

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