Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR)

The Philippine media situation has resisted change despite the change of administration in July, CMFR noted, adding that World Press Freedom Day is being commemorated after a year of global and national turmoil.

In 2007, a National Press Club member filed libel charges against “Daily Tribune” publisher Ninez Cacho-Olivares and columnist Louie Logarta.

Albert Loyola, of radio station dxRJ, is facing two libel cases filed by Iligan City Councilor Chonilo Ruiz.

In an open letter to the president, media groups and journalism professors and students asked Aquino “to show political will to put an end to impunity and to launch the presidential initiatives needed to begin the process of change.”

A Palawan court acquitted and ordered the release of former police officer Aaron Golifardo in the 2006 murder of dyPR broadcaster Fernando “Dong” Batul.

Edgardo Maliza was arrested on libel charges based on two articles he published in the “Azilam Review” in 2009.

Len Flores-Sumera may have been targeted in connection with a land dispute that she was involved in and had discussed on her radio programme.

Armand Reyes says he was threatened by the husband of a local councilor after he was named on Reyes’ radio programme in connection to illegal fishing activities.