Sunday, March 1, 2009

Arroyo vs. Arroyo

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is poised to veto the Right of Reply Bill--a bill whose principal sponsor is Senator Aquilino Pimentel. The bill seeks to give those criticized by the media an equal opportunity to hear their side by way of reply. And in the words of Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella, who is also pushing for another version of Right of Reply Bill in the Lower House, the objective is "to level the playing field in journalism."

The purported vetoing of the bill by Ms. Arroyo is a reckless political maneuver, precisely aimed at gaining "brownie points from the media." By vetoing the bill, Mrs. Arroyo would appear as though she is a champion of the press. Thus, she'll be spared from the critical eye of the media.

But no, says Senator Joker Arroyo. “Even if the President sides with the media on this, she will still be attacked by the media,” Mr. Arroyo was quoted as saying.

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