Ms. Maria Ressa deserves our congratulations for being one of the awardees of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize – the first Filipino to have this distinction.
But more than the prestige that comes with the award, is the responsibility of continuing to uphold the freedom of expression – the reason for the award.
It is hoped that the Nobel Peace Prize will further inspire the responsible practice of journalism for the good of all.
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Under our judicial system, due process does not end with a guilty verdict rendered by a regional trial court. Ms. Ressa and Mr. Santos can always appeal the decision before the appellate court and the Supreme Court, if necessary. This is a guaranteed right of every Filipino under our existing laws.
On the issue of freedom of the press, which is guaranteed under our Constitution, I’m sure the Supreme Court will address and rule on the issue of constitutionality, if it is not addressed by the Court of Appeals to the satisfaction of both Ms. Ressa and Mr. Santos.
Other than that, I am not familiar with the details much less the merits of the case. It will not be appropriate for me to either denounce or hail the RTC’s decision.
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Allowing and denying the entry of foreigners into the territory of the United States, or any country for that matter, is a matter of right of that host country. They don’t even have to justify it.
What is unacceptable is the passage of a resolution by the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations that calls for the dismissal of charges against any respondent in a criminal case, in this case, Sen. de Lima and Maria Ressa. It is an affront to the integrity of our courts and the country’s judicial system. Even the President or any executive official, or any member of our Congress, cannot issue a formal resolution that will encroach on the power of a co-equal branch of government.
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In an interview on DWIZ, Sen. Lacson answers questions on:
– possible veto of the 2019 budget
– resolution calling out US senators for arrogance
– new vote-buying scheme using 4Ps, up to P25,000 per vote?
– Holy Week 2019
Quotes from the interview…
Continue reading “Interview on DWIZ: Alleged New Vote-Buying Scheme? | April 13, 2019”
Isinulong ni Senador Panfilo Lacson, kasama si Senate President Vicente Sotto III at Sen. Gregorio Honasan II, ang resolusyong naglalayong sermunan ang mga mambabatas ng Estados Unidos na nakikialam sa sistema ng hudikatura ng Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng dalawang resolusyon.
Sa Senate Resolution 1037 na magkasamang iniakda at isinumite ng tatlong mambabatas, malinaw na isinaad ng mga ito na hindi puwedeng makialam ang mga dayuhan sa panloob ng usapin ng Pilipinas.
Nilinaw din ni Lacson na walang ibang hangarin ang kanilang pagsasampa sa Senate Resolution 1037, at kung may mga personalidad umanong nasali sa aksyon nilang ito laban sa pakikialam ng mga banyagang mambabatas, ito ay nagkataon lamang.
“Sen. (Leila) de Lima and Ms. (Maria) Ressa are but incidental to the intent of this resolution. They are entitled to fair justice and judgment by the courts handling their cases. But what we need to point out is that supremacism has no place in a civilized world regardless of race, color and status in wealth and power,” paliwanag ni Lacson.
Related: SP Sotto, 2 Colleagues File Resolution Rebuking US Solons for Interfering in PH Judicial Process
Continue reading “Sotto, Lacson, Honasan Rumesbak vs Pakialamerong US Solons”
Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III and two colleagues filed late Wednesday a resolution rebuking some members of the United States Congress for interfering with the Philippine judicial process via two proposed resolutions.
Introducing Philippine Senate Resolution 1037 along with Sotto were Senators Panfilo M. Lacson and Gregorio B. Honasan II.
Lacson emphasized Sen. Leila de Lima and Maria Ressa, whose release the proposed US resolutions sought, are “incidental” to the intent of the Philippine Senate resolution.
“Sen. de Lima and Ms. Ressa are but incidental to the intent of this resolution. They are entitled to fair justice and judgment by the courts handling their cases. But what we need to point out is that supremacism has no place in a civilized world regardless of race, color and status in wealth and power.” Lacson stressed.
Related: Sotto, Lacson, Honasan Rumesbak vs Pakialamerong US Solons
Continue reading “SP Sotto, 2 Colleagues File Resolution Rebuking US Solons for Interfering in PH Judicial Process”
