The provincial lawmaking body has declared a lawyer and mediaman, through a resolution, a ‘persona non grata’, which means an undesirable or unwelcome person, following the conclusion of an in-house investigation.
Lawyer Salvador Diputado, editor-in-chief of The Bohol Times and co-host of station dyTR’s Cuentas Claras program, has been the subject of an investigation conducted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) in relation to the lawyer’s earlier allegation that a provincial official here has a US$81 million deposit in a local bank in Bohol.
Lawyer Vincencio Arcamo, SP’s majority floor leader, read the findings of their month-long probe Friday during the provincial board’s regular session, citing “facts and reasons” why Diputado, a native of Sibulan, Negros Oriental, should be declared a “persona non grata,” first of its kind of labeling on someone residing in Bohol in recent memory.
In a report by the SP’s Committee of the Whole, it pointed out that in several occasions Diputado had allegedly taken advantage of his position in the media by spreading unverified reports allegedly disregarding the consequences thereof.
Arcamo cited the instances when Diputado linked a lady mayor in Bohol and her husband as alleged drug protectors. Last year Diputado had also linked some Bohol radio reporters as under the payroll of a suspected drug lord. And lately, Diputado, in his newspaper columns and radio broadcasts, linked a high-ranking Bohol official as having an $81 million or P3.8 billion deposit, an allegation that has been dismissed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) as “pure rumors.” As this develops, ex-governor Victor Dela Serna had also told a radio program that the $81-million story was pure hogwash.
Diputado’s report emerged here following the Bank of Bangladesh’s cyber heist early this year, which also involved an amount of $81 million.
Earlier, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had also been dragged into the $81-million rumor as the alleged source of an unused donation, but the USAID had issued a statement denying the existence of such funds for the province of Bohol, which was struck by a powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake in 2013.
According to board member Arcamo, “criticism coming from the media, especially if constructive, is always a welcome menu as it will check and curtail abuses of government powers and compels public officials to be cautious and mindful in the performance of their duties and in their private lives, but to fabricate stories aimed to destroy the honor and reputation of public officials should not be brushed aside but must be sanctioned and condemned in the strongest word available.”
“The committee members are unanimous in their observation that the publications of Atty. Salvador D. Diputado in his columns and discussions on his radio program are counter-productive, detrimental and repugnant to the progress and development of the Province of Bohol as it will surely induce the public to hate and invite unnecessary suspicion of wrongdoing and irregularity not only to government officials but also the private institutions and local media dragged by his malicious journalistic caprices,” according to the SP report.
The declaration by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) in session on Friday against Salvador Diputado detailed the radioman-newspaperman’s “malicious journalistic caprices” which risk public service to “unduly suffer.”
A persona non grata refers to a person who is “not appreciated, unacceptable or not welcome.”
The provincial board cited, for one, his serialized “tsismis” in both print and broadcast about an $81 million dollar bank account allegedly owned by an unknown high-ranking Bohol official.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) found out the grave accusation to be just a rumor after the SP said in its own inquiry finding that the same is baseless.
The capitol legislature logged Diputado persona non grata in an approved resolution, which was effectively an official expression of the province’s utter distaste at his “deliberate acts, fabricated stories, lies and innuendos.”
All press abuses to his “notorious” credit are damaging to the credibility and integrity of innocent public officials and the provincial government as an institution, according to a board member known for his respect for the media.
Diputado’s $81 million story was just among the grounds cited by the lawmaking body for declaring the mediaman persona non grata.
To some working in the province, the board’s action should tell Diputado to “sow trouble and sabotage the government of his province of origin.”
The board acknowledged the necessity of a free press to check government power and expose abuses.
But “it has become his (Diputado) personal advocacy to malign, insult and destroy” the “image and goodwill” of the province and its officialdom, according to the SP report.
Diputado is a son-in-law of Vice Gov. Dionisio Balite, himself the SP presiding officer, and brother-in-law of Board Member Dionisio Victor Balite, who both inhibited during the passage and approval of the persona non grata resolution.
The resolution was passed and approved unanimously, although the Balites inhibited, following the Committee of the Whole report and recommendation presented by the SP Floor Leader, Arcamo.
Board Member Tomas Abapo, Jr. presided the session on account of the vice governor’s inhibition.
Abapo is an ally of the Balites but enjoys full respect from all his provincial board colleagues.
FINDINGS
Convened as the Committee of the Whole, the SP conducted an investigation on the $81 million deposit allegation on June 22 in response to the manifestation of Board Member Elpidio Jala.
At the inquiry were also bank managers led by Bohol bankers association president Geline Uy-Pacana, Fr. Patricio Galon and some members of the local media.
Diputado could not attend accordingly because he was in Manila.
It was found out that the story was started by Diputado on his Facebook account, Bohol Times column, DYTR program, and another column in Cebu-based tabloid Superbalita.
He alleged that a priest, who was unnamed, revealed to him that an official of the province owns a local bank account amounting to US$81 million.
The priest allegedly accidentally saw in a passbook mistakenly handed to him by the bank teller the name of the provincial official owning the immense money deposit.
Diputado likewise could not name the official imputed to in his incredible story.
At the inquiry, the bank officials were categorical that it is unlikely and close to impossibility that an individual or even corporation could have such a huge deposit, which is closely P3.8 billion, at any local bank.
The amount is more or less equivalent to the total maximum deposit of three or four banks in Bohol and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) is very strict, they said.
The AMLC is closely monitoring on huge accounts which must be reported immediately to the council by any bank concerned.
For his part, Fr. Galon of the Songculan Parish in Dauis was totally surprised that his name was dragged into the issue and he categorically denied he was the priest imputed to by Diputado.
In a stunning twist, Diputado had also alleged that it was a sister of the priest having seen the passbook containing the big account and confided her discovery to her brother.
The priest, according to Diputado, in turn revealed to “Cuentas Claras” the account and its owner. Diputado was referring to his radio program.
Galon said he only had one sister who died a long time ago.
In one more inconsistency, Diputado published that the dollar story started at a birthday party at a city hotel tendered by a Bohol politician to his mother after the May 9 election.
A reliable source said Diputado must be referring to the birthday party tendered by Rep. Aris Aumentado to his mother
The source, an elective government official, said he was there but never heard such “tsimis,” adding that he did not see Diputado there either.
Another SP investigation was done on July 20, this time attended by Diputado who reasoned out that what he published and broadcast was not a news item but a narrative and a mere personal opinion.
Diputado, who is also a lawyer, admitted that he had no personal knowledge of the identities of the priest and the bank, existence of the account and identity of the alleged official.
NBI RECEIVES UNKNOWN COMPLAINT
After the SP probe, the NBI reported at a Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting of receiving an anonymous complaint by e-mail, this time alleging the huge money as coming from the US government for Bohol rehabilitation.
It was allegedly granted thru the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) but diverted into the pocket of a Bohol official who deposited it to his account.
Surprisingly, on the Sunday right following the PPOC meeting, Diputado’s Bohol Times reported, in details, the complaint to the NBI, according to the SP Committee of the Whole.
The provincial board was further shocked to note that even NBI-Bohol Executive Officer Archie Albao did not provide details of the e-mail complaint when he reported it to the PPOC.
Diputado’s paper published in greater detail the content of the complaint which caused suspicion that the earlier Bohol Times stories and the e-mail sent to the NBI came from one and the same source, the committee said.
The SP recognized the fact that the US Embassy in Manila, thru its official, categorically stated that there has never been such amount given by the US government to Bohol for rehabilitation.
The embassy declared that the US government has existing partnership with Bohol over the past 25 years through the provision of technical assistance to several development sectors.
But it has not been the practice of the USAID to download funds to any local government units or transfer funds to the provincial government.
Also on the SP request, the NBI pursued its investigation until it closed and terminated its probe after finding the allegation to be just pure rumor and hearsay.
DIPUTADO DRAGS EVEN DEAD PRIEST
The SP observed that Diputado has been “consistent in attacking provincial officials and it has become his personal advocacy to malign, insult and destroy the image and goodwill of the present capitol.”
This is despite his knowing the fact that his acts will damage not only the present capitol officials but also other persons and institutions, the committee said.
In fact, in one of Bohol Times issues, Diputado “tried to connect” the $81 million tale to the death of Loboc priest Fr. Mar Biliran and the “death of a bank teller,” who was also unnamed.
But the NBI, at the last PPOC meeting, reported about its new discovered leads showing that the death had “nothing to do with the incredible” bank deposit story.
PREVIOUS STORIES
Accordingly, the “kind of journalism” practiced by Diputado is not new to media practitioners in Bohol, the committee said.
Diputado once placed the Bohol media in the center of controversy when he alleged on radio that a local mediaman was at the premises of the house of drug suspect Sherwin Bautista even before a raid few years ago.
Bautista was shot dead by an unknown assailant months ago.
Diputado also alleged that the said mediaman asked the authorities to obliterate his face in the CCTV which was purportedly in the possession of the CIDG.
However, when the Bohol media verified, the CIDG straightly dismissed Diputado’s untrue allegations.
CONDEMNED BY BOHOL ABC
The Provincial Federation of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC-Bohol) recently passed a resolution condemning another “malicious and irresponsible publications” of Diputado.
In this case, Diputado linked Dauis ABC President Josever Sumaylo to the drug trade “even without any iota of evidence presented to prove his claim,” the committee said.
INTRIGUE TO PRES. DUTERTE
Just recently, the committee learned that Diputado sent a complaint to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, alleging of “cornering of juicy contracts” by the present provincial administration in the construction of the new Bohol airport.
The provincial board said this “again manifests Diputado’s propensity and practice to fabricate stories to destroy the present capitol officials.”
It was “apparent in his letter that Diputado did not even name or specify or attach any evidence of a certain contract allegedly cornered,” the SP said.
Diputado “did not care” to verify the fact that the province had nothing to do with the contracts as these were entered into by the national government thru the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), including the procurement process.
The provincial government’s participation was only in the land acquisitions for the airport project but which happened mostly during the past administrations, the provincial board said.
MENTALITY
The provincial board noted that whenever the provincial government or any of its officials are cited or awarded, Diputado is consistent in not appreciating good performance.
He would always put to question and doubt the awards and recognitions.
Foremost of these was Bohol’s citing among the country’s “Best Governed Provinces” by the DILG in 2010 and 2011 when it topped the Local Governance Performance Management System (LPGMS) evaluation.
Diputado “made a mockery of the award and even doubted about the veracity of the recognition,” the SP said.
Lately, the board said, when the DILG named the Bohol governor as one of the 10 model governors, Diputado openly questioned Chatto’s inclusion.
Diputado would then “commend” the honoree to appear or sound that he is objective after sensing the flooding congratulatory greetings to the official from local leagues and leading councils.
COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE
The Committee of the Whole members unanimously observed that the acts of Diputado are “counter-productive, detrimental and repugnant to the progress and development of Bohol.”
His journalism by ill-will does only “induce the public to hate and invite unnecessary suspicion of wrongdoing and irregularity not only to government officials but even private institutions,” the committee said.
Even the local media has been dragged by his “malicious journalistic caprices,” according to the provincial legislature.
MEDIA IS GOOD; FALSEHOOD NOT
Criticism from the media, especially if constructive, is always welcome as it will check and curtail abuses of government powers and compel public officials to be cautious and mindful of their oath and mandate, the SP said.
But, the board said, “to fabricate stories aimed to destroy honor and reputation of public officials should not be brushed aside but must be sanctioned and condemned in the strongest word available.”
RECOMMENDATION: PERSONA NON GRATA
To rationalize its recommendation, the committee borrowed the language of the Supreme Court in a certain case, which reads as follows:
“The press wields enormous power. Through its widespread reach and the information it imparts, it can mold and shape thoughts and opinions of the people. It can turn the tide of public opinion for or against someone, it can build up heroes or create villains;
“It is in the interest of society to have a free press, to have liberal discussion and dissemination of ideas, and to encourage people to engage in healthy debate. It is through this that society can progress and develop;
“Those who would publish under the aegis of freedom of the press must also acknowledge the corollary duty to publish responsibly. To show that they have exercised their freedom responsibly, they must go beyond merely relying on unfounded rumors or shadowy anonymous sources;
“There must be further investigation conducted, some shred of proof found to support allegations of misconduct or even criminal activity. It is in fact too easy for journalists to destroy the reputation and honor of public officials, if they are not required to make the slightest effort to verify their accusations;
“Journalists are supposed to be reporters of facts, not fiction, and must be able to back up their stories with solid research. The power of the press and the corresponding duty to exercise that power judiciously cannot be understated;
“But even with the need for a free press, the necessity that it be free does not mean that it be totally unfettered. It is still acknowledged that the freedom can be abused, and for the abuse of the freedom, there must be a corresponding sanction. It falls on the press to wield such enormous power responsibly;
“It may be a cliche that the pen is mightier than the sword, but in this particular case, the lesson to be learned is that such a mighty weapon should not be wielded recklessly or thoughtlessly, but always guided by conscience and careful thought;
“A robust and independently free press is doubtless one of the most effective checks on government power and abuses. Hence, it behooves government functionaries to respect the value of openness and refrain from concealing from media corruption and other anomalous practices occurring within their backyard;
“On the other hand, public officials also deserve respect and protection against false innuendoes and unfounded accusation of official wrongdoing from an abusive press. As it were, the law and jurisprudence on libel heavily tilt in favor of press freedom;
“The common but most unkind perception is that government institutions and their officers and employees are fair game to official and personal attacks and even ridicule. And the practice on the ground is just as disconcerting;
“Reports and accusation of official misconduct often times merit front page or primetime treatment, while defenses set up, retraction issued, or acquittal rendered get no more, if ever, perfunctory coverage. The unfairness needs no belaboring. The balm of clear conscience is sometimes not enough;
“Perhaps lost in the traditional press freedom versus government impasse is the fact that a maliciously false imputation of corruption and dishonesty against a public official, as here, leaves a stigmatizing mark not only on the person but also the office to which he belongs. In the ultimate analysis, public service also unduly suffers.”
UNPRECEDENTED
A prominent member of the media being declared persona non grata by the SP, which is the province’s highest legislature and policy-making body, is unprecedented in Bohol history.
Just recently, Diputado repeatedly professed himself to be a leader of the so-called Bohol advocates for change yet his acts as a journalist alone already contradicted himself, according to some national agency workers here.
Diputado is a former president of a now-defunct media cooperative which fund, estimated by some former members, to be at P200,000 more or less, has since been “unaccounted and missing.” (Ven rebo Arigo)
Lawyer Salvador Diputado, editor-in-chief of The Bohol Times and co-host of station dyTR’s Cuentas Claras program, has been the subject of an investigation conducted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) in relation to the lawyer’s earlier allegation that a provincial official here has a US$81 million deposit in a local bank in Bohol.
Lawyer Vincencio Arcamo, SP’s majority floor leader, read the findings of their month-long probe Friday during the provincial board’s regular session, citing “facts and reasons” why Diputado, a native of Sibulan, Negros Oriental, should be declared a “persona non grata,” first of its kind of labeling on someone residing in Bohol in recent memory.
DIPUTADO
In a report by the SP’s Committee of the Whole, it pointed out that in several occasions Diputado had allegedly taken advantage of his position in the media by spreading unverified reports allegedly disregarding the consequences thereof.
Arcamo cited the instances when Diputado linked a lady mayor in Bohol and her husband as alleged drug protectors. Last year Diputado had also linked some Bohol radio reporters as under the payroll of a suspected drug lord. And lately, Diputado, in his newspaper columns and radio broadcasts, linked a high-ranking Bohol official as having an $81 million or P3.8 billion deposit, an allegation that has been dismissed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) as “pure rumors.” As this develops, ex-governor Victor Dela Serna had also told a radio program that the $81-million story was pure hogwash.
Diputado’s report emerged here following the Bank of Bangladesh’s cyber heist early this year, which also involved an amount of $81 million.
Earlier, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had also been dragged into the $81-million rumor as the alleged source of an unused donation, but the USAID had issued a statement denying the existence of such funds for the province of Bohol, which was struck by a powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake in 2013.
According to board member Arcamo, “criticism coming from the media, especially if constructive, is always a welcome menu as it will check and curtail abuses of government powers and compels public officials to be cautious and mindful in the performance of their duties and in their private lives, but to fabricate stories aimed to destroy the honor and reputation of public officials should not be brushed aside but must be sanctioned and condemned in the strongest word available.”
“The committee members are unanimous in their observation that the publications of Atty. Salvador D. Diputado in his columns and discussions on his radio program are counter-productive, detrimental and repugnant to the progress and development of the Province of Bohol as it will surely induce the public to hate and invite unnecessary suspicion of wrongdoing and irregularity not only to government officials but also the private institutions and local media dragged by his malicious journalistic caprices,” according to the SP report.
The declaration by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) in session on Friday against Salvador Diputado detailed the radioman-newspaperman’s “malicious journalistic caprices” which risk public service to “unduly suffer.”
A persona non grata refers to a person who is “not appreciated, unacceptable or not welcome.”
The provincial board cited, for one, his serialized “tsismis” in both print and broadcast about an $81 million dollar bank account allegedly owned by an unknown high-ranking Bohol official.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) found out the grave accusation to be just a rumor after the SP said in its own inquiry finding that the same is baseless.
The capitol legislature logged Diputado persona non grata in an approved resolution, which was effectively an official expression of the province’s utter distaste at his “deliberate acts, fabricated stories, lies and innuendos.”
All press abuses to his “notorious” credit are damaging to the credibility and integrity of innocent public officials and the provincial government as an institution, according to a board member known for his respect for the media.
Diputado’s $81 million story was just among the grounds cited by the lawmaking body for declaring the mediaman persona non grata.
To some working in the province, the board’s action should tell Diputado to “sow trouble and sabotage the government of his province of origin.”
The board acknowledged the necessity of a free press to check government power and expose abuses.
But “it has become his (Diputado) personal advocacy to malign, insult and destroy” the “image and goodwill” of the province and its officialdom, according to the SP report.
Diputado is a son-in-law of Vice Gov. Dionisio Balite, himself the SP presiding officer, and brother-in-law of Board Member Dionisio Victor Balite, who both inhibited during the passage and approval of the persona non grata resolution.
The resolution was passed and approved unanimously, although the Balites inhibited, following the Committee of the Whole report and recommendation presented by the SP Floor Leader, Arcamo.
Board Member Tomas Abapo, Jr. presided the session on account of the vice governor’s inhibition.
Abapo is an ally of the Balites but enjoys full respect from all his provincial board colleagues.
FINDINGS
Convened as the Committee of the Whole, the SP conducted an investigation on the $81 million deposit allegation on June 22 in response to the manifestation of Board Member Elpidio Jala.
At the inquiry were also bank managers led by Bohol bankers association president Geline Uy-Pacana, Fr. Patricio Galon and some members of the local media.
Diputado could not attend accordingly because he was in Manila.
It was found out that the story was started by Diputado on his Facebook account, Bohol Times column, DYTR program, and another column in Cebu-based tabloid Superbalita.
He alleged that a priest, who was unnamed, revealed to him that an official of the province owns a local bank account amounting to US$81 million.
The priest allegedly accidentally saw in a passbook mistakenly handed to him by the bank teller the name of the provincial official owning the immense money deposit.
Diputado likewise could not name the official imputed to in his incredible story.
At the inquiry, the bank officials were categorical that it is unlikely and close to impossibility that an individual or even corporation could have such a huge deposit, which is closely P3.8 billion, at any local bank.
The amount is more or less equivalent to the total maximum deposit of three or four banks in Bohol and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) is very strict, they said.
The AMLC is closely monitoring on huge accounts which must be reported immediately to the council by any bank concerned.
For his part, Fr. Galon of the Songculan Parish in Dauis was totally surprised that his name was dragged into the issue and he categorically denied he was the priest imputed to by Diputado.
In a stunning twist, Diputado had also alleged that it was a sister of the priest having seen the passbook containing the big account and confided her discovery to her brother.
The priest, according to Diputado, in turn revealed to “Cuentas Claras” the account and its owner. Diputado was referring to his radio program.
Galon said he only had one sister who died a long time ago.
In one more inconsistency, Diputado published that the dollar story started at a birthday party at a city hotel tendered by a Bohol politician to his mother after the May 9 election.
A reliable source said Diputado must be referring to the birthday party tendered by Rep. Aris Aumentado to his mother
The source, an elective government official, said he was there but never heard such “tsimis,” adding that he did not see Diputado there either.
Another SP investigation was done on July 20, this time attended by Diputado who reasoned out that what he published and broadcast was not a news item but a narrative and a mere personal opinion.
Diputado, who is also a lawyer, admitted that he had no personal knowledge of the identities of the priest and the bank, existence of the account and identity of the alleged official.
NBI RECEIVES UNKNOWN COMPLAINT
After the SP probe, the NBI reported at a Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting of receiving an anonymous complaint by e-mail, this time alleging the huge money as coming from the US government for Bohol rehabilitation.
It was allegedly granted thru the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) but diverted into the pocket of a Bohol official who deposited it to his account.
Surprisingly, on the Sunday right following the PPOC meeting, Diputado’s Bohol Times reported, in details, the complaint to the NBI, according to the SP Committee of the Whole.
The provincial board was further shocked to note that even NBI-Bohol Executive Officer Archie Albao did not provide details of the e-mail complaint when he reported it to the PPOC.
Diputado’s paper published in greater detail the content of the complaint which caused suspicion that the earlier Bohol Times stories and the e-mail sent to the NBI came from one and the same source, the committee said.
The SP recognized the fact that the US Embassy in Manila, thru its official, categorically stated that there has never been such amount given by the US government to Bohol for rehabilitation.
The embassy declared that the US government has existing partnership with Bohol over the past 25 years through the provision of technical assistance to several development sectors.
But it has not been the practice of the USAID to download funds to any local government units or transfer funds to the provincial government.
Also on the SP request, the NBI pursued its investigation until it closed and terminated its probe after finding the allegation to be just pure rumor and hearsay.
DIPUTADO DRAGS EVEN DEAD PRIEST
The SP observed that Diputado has been “consistent in attacking provincial officials and it has become his personal advocacy to malign, insult and destroy the image and goodwill of the present capitol.”
This is despite his knowing the fact that his acts will damage not only the present capitol officials but also other persons and institutions, the committee said.
In fact, in one of Bohol Times issues, Diputado “tried to connect” the $81 million tale to the death of Loboc priest Fr. Mar Biliran and the “death of a bank teller,” who was also unnamed.
But the NBI, at the last PPOC meeting, reported about its new discovered leads showing that the death had “nothing to do with the incredible” bank deposit story.
PREVIOUS STORIES
Accordingly, the “kind of journalism” practiced by Diputado is not new to media practitioners in Bohol, the committee said.
Diputado once placed the Bohol media in the center of controversy when he alleged on radio that a local mediaman was at the premises of the house of drug suspect Sherwin Bautista even before a raid few years ago.
Bautista was shot dead by an unknown assailant months ago.
Diputado also alleged that the said mediaman asked the authorities to obliterate his face in the CCTV which was purportedly in the possession of the CIDG.
However, when the Bohol media verified, the CIDG straightly dismissed Diputado’s untrue allegations.
CONDEMNED BY BOHOL ABC
The Provincial Federation of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC-Bohol) recently passed a resolution condemning another “malicious and irresponsible publications” of Diputado.
In this case, Diputado linked Dauis ABC President Josever Sumaylo to the drug trade “even without any iota of evidence presented to prove his claim,” the committee said.
INTRIGUE TO PRES. DUTERTE
Just recently, the committee learned that Diputado sent a complaint to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, alleging of “cornering of juicy contracts” by the present provincial administration in the construction of the new Bohol airport.
The provincial board said this “again manifests Diputado’s propensity and practice to fabricate stories to destroy the present capitol officials.”
It was “apparent in his letter that Diputado did not even name or specify or attach any evidence of a certain contract allegedly cornered,” the SP said.
Diputado “did not care” to verify the fact that the province had nothing to do with the contracts as these were entered into by the national government thru the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), including the procurement process.
The provincial government’s participation was only in the land acquisitions for the airport project but which happened mostly during the past administrations, the provincial board said.
MENTALITY
The provincial board noted that whenever the provincial government or any of its officials are cited or awarded, Diputado is consistent in not appreciating good performance.
He would always put to question and doubt the awards and recognitions.
Foremost of these was Bohol’s citing among the country’s “Best Governed Provinces” by the DILG in 2010 and 2011 when it topped the Local Governance Performance Management System (LPGMS) evaluation.
Diputado “made a mockery of the award and even doubted about the veracity of the recognition,” the SP said.
Lately, the board said, when the DILG named the Bohol governor as one of the 10 model governors, Diputado openly questioned Chatto’s inclusion.
Diputado would then “commend” the honoree to appear or sound that he is objective after sensing the flooding congratulatory greetings to the official from local leagues and leading councils.
COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE
The Committee of the Whole members unanimously observed that the acts of Diputado are “counter-productive, detrimental and repugnant to the progress and development of Bohol.”
His journalism by ill-will does only “induce the public to hate and invite unnecessary suspicion of wrongdoing and irregularity not only to government officials but even private institutions,” the committee said.
Even the local media has been dragged by his “malicious journalistic caprices,” according to the provincial legislature.
MEDIA IS GOOD; FALSEHOOD NOT
Criticism from the media, especially if constructive, is always welcome as it will check and curtail abuses of government powers and compel public officials to be cautious and mindful of their oath and mandate, the SP said.
But, the board said, “to fabricate stories aimed to destroy honor and reputation of public officials should not be brushed aside but must be sanctioned and condemned in the strongest word available.”
RECOMMENDATION: PERSONA NON GRATA
To rationalize its recommendation, the committee borrowed the language of the Supreme Court in a certain case, which reads as follows:
“The press wields enormous power. Through its widespread reach and the information it imparts, it can mold and shape thoughts and opinions of the people. It can turn the tide of public opinion for or against someone, it can build up heroes or create villains;
“It is in the interest of society to have a free press, to have liberal discussion and dissemination of ideas, and to encourage people to engage in healthy debate. It is through this that society can progress and develop;
“Those who would publish under the aegis of freedom of the press must also acknowledge the corollary duty to publish responsibly. To show that they have exercised their freedom responsibly, they must go beyond merely relying on unfounded rumors or shadowy anonymous sources;
“There must be further investigation conducted, some shred of proof found to support allegations of misconduct or even criminal activity. It is in fact too easy for journalists to destroy the reputation and honor of public officials, if they are not required to make the slightest effort to verify their accusations;
“Journalists are supposed to be reporters of facts, not fiction, and must be able to back up their stories with solid research. The power of the press and the corresponding duty to exercise that power judiciously cannot be understated;
“But even with the need for a free press, the necessity that it be free does not mean that it be totally unfettered. It is still acknowledged that the freedom can be abused, and for the abuse of the freedom, there must be a corresponding sanction. It falls on the press to wield such enormous power responsibly;
“It may be a cliche that the pen is mightier than the sword, but in this particular case, the lesson to be learned is that such a mighty weapon should not be wielded recklessly or thoughtlessly, but always guided by conscience and careful thought;
“A robust and independently free press is doubtless one of the most effective checks on government power and abuses. Hence, it behooves government functionaries to respect the value of openness and refrain from concealing from media corruption and other anomalous practices occurring within their backyard;
“On the other hand, public officials also deserve respect and protection against false innuendoes and unfounded accusation of official wrongdoing from an abusive press. As it were, the law and jurisprudence on libel heavily tilt in favor of press freedom;
“The common but most unkind perception is that government institutions and their officers and employees are fair game to official and personal attacks and even ridicule. And the practice on the ground is just as disconcerting;
“Reports and accusation of official misconduct often times merit front page or primetime treatment, while defenses set up, retraction issued, or acquittal rendered get no more, if ever, perfunctory coverage. The unfairness needs no belaboring. The balm of clear conscience is sometimes not enough;
“Perhaps lost in the traditional press freedom versus government impasse is the fact that a maliciously false imputation of corruption and dishonesty against a public official, as here, leaves a stigmatizing mark not only on the person but also the office to which he belongs. In the ultimate analysis, public service also unduly suffers.”
UNPRECEDENTED
A prominent member of the media being declared persona non grata by the SP, which is the province’s highest legislature and policy-making body, is unprecedented in Bohol history.
Just recently, Diputado repeatedly professed himself to be a leader of the so-called Bohol advocates for change yet his acts as a journalist alone already contradicted himself, according to some national agency workers here.
Diputado is a former president of a now-defunct media cooperative which fund, estimated by some former members, to be at P200,000 more or less, has since been “unaccounted and missing.” (Ven rebo Arigo)
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