FINALLY OFFICIAL: Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. assumed his post as the 17th president of the Philippines. On June 28, the Supreme Court ruled to dismiss with finality motions questioning Marcos Jr.'s candidacy. No surprise as the restoration of Marcos' family continues to trouble those who fought against Martial Law and all who suffered during that repressive regime.
Newscasts this week tracked preparations for Marcos Jr.'s June 30 inauguration at the National Museum, reporting information about security arrangements, the inaugural program and list of invited guests.
All TV channels covered live the swearing-in and the President's 25-minute speech. Studio anchors connected reports from the site and discussions with resource persons who talked about what could be expected, speculating about the future under another Marcos: a worsening economy, a continuation of China's aggression and the possibility that the unpaid taxes of his family would be forgotten.
Media coverage by ABS-CBN, TV5, GMA-7 and CNN Philippines was pretty straightforward and could not be faulted for slipping into the style to which the Marcoses may have grown accustomed at the height of their power: Media recorded the state ceremony in faithful detail from start to finish. But there were no remarks to compliment the performance of the president or any use of language that hinted even the slightest praise.
The inaugural speech
Sometimes what is not said matters more, remarked De la Salle History Professor Michael Charlston Chua in the panel discussion of ABS-CBN's special coverage of the inauguration. Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism's live blog (PCIJ) provided a list of issues that Marcos Jr. did mention, such as food self-sufficiency, the need to improve COVID response and his promise of continuing the Build, Build, Build program. PCIJ noted that Marcos was silent on freedom of information particularly his SALNs, attacks on press freedom, Duterte's drug war, the Bangsamoro peace process and most importantly, the corruption issues hounding his family.
While media announced the inaugural ball to be held in the evening, media did not report on the festivity. Even government channels did not air any footage taken during the event. All videos posted on social media were courtesy of invited guests. There were no reports about arrangements, or the lack of, for media access. However, media covered the thanksgiving concert organized by Marcos' supporters. Reports said that Marcos Jr. was expected to attend the concert after the inaugural dinner in the Palace, but he did not show up.
Calling the President's attention
Having also assumed the post of Agriculture Secretary, Marcos Jr. has to think not only about food security. He now has on his plate the committee report from the three Senate probes held this year on smuggling. Reports on June 27 said seventeen senators signed the 63-page document, which names 22 persons linked to the illegal importation of vegetables into the country. The list was based on a "validated" intelligence report received by Sen. Vicente Sotto III, which includes top officials in the Bureau of Customs, Department of Agriculture and some local chief executives. Some of those identified, including Customs Chief Rey Leonardo Guerrero and Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco, have issued denials about their involvement to the media.
Press Secretary-designate Trixie Cruz-Angeles also told the media in a briefing that Marcos Jr. is still carefully considering who to appoint as Health secretary. The president acknowledged in his speech the need for a better pandemic response. One would have expected this appointment to be the most consequential given the continued persistence of cases. Media should scrutinize his choice and whatever delays in the presidential action in this regard.
The Inquirer‘s June 30 editorial correctly pointed out, "Given the sheer magnitude of these challenges, each demanding to be prioritized, Marcos Jr. cannot afford to be in a celebratory mood for long, even if his resounding victory marks the triumphant return of the Marcoses to Malacanang just 36 years after the family was chased out of the Palace in 1986 by the peaceful Edsa people power revolt. Instead, the 64-year-old needs to hit the ground running at full tilt in pursuit of effective solutions to the country's increasingly complex problems."
The challenge BBM faces as president compels the media to keep close watch from day one of the second Marcos president. Given the history that has bound the Marcos name and the media, the current crop of journalists need to fully understand the challenge they themselves face.
Duterte's legacy of shuttering the press
Before stepping down and living his life as "Citizen Rody," Rodrigo Duterte sealed his legacy of hostility to the press. He will forever be remembered for the crude bludgeoning of press freedom, the range of attacks and threats, the disinformation employed against individual journalists and institutions. Just last week, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ordered the blocking of the sites of Bulatlat and Pinoy Weekly.
Still under the Duterte administration, the NTC did more than just block media sites. Reports on June 29 said that the NTC had ordered "blocktimers" to submit for approval their arrangements.
ABS-CBN may not have been named in the order, but media reported how it can be affected, as the company has entered into deals with Zoe Broadcasting Network and TV5 to show entertainment programs it produces, including the top-rating series, Ang Probinsyano.
In separate interviews with the media, Rudolph Steve Jularbal and Herman Basbano of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas took exception to the NTC memorandum, emphasizing that its function only covers technical aspects of broadcast operations and not the content of programs themselves. Lawyer Eugenio Villareal, a media law professor in Ateneo de Manila University, told TV Patrol that the order is tantamount to unconstitutional prior restraint.
News accounts also reported that on June 29, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) affirmed its 2018 decision revoking the certificates of incorporation of Rappler and Rappler Holdings. Inc. The SEC alleged that Rappler violated the Constitutional provision limiting ownership and control of mass media to Filipinos when it issued Philippine depositary receipts to Omidyar Network. The SEC interpreted this issuance as constituting foreign control over Rappler.
Rappler's Maria Ressa said it will be business as usual for them since there is no court order to cease operations immediately, and that Rappler would exhaust all possible legal remedies to address the problem.
Cheers, Jeers
Here are the monitors CMFR produced this week:
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