Palace rejects view Duterte’s tirades threatening press freedom in PHL

Malacañang on Thursday took exception to the claim that President Rodrigo Duterte's expletive-laden attacks on the media pulled down the Philippines' ranking in a global press freedom index.

Duterte's spokersperson, Harry Roque, made the statement after the Philippines fell six places--from 127th last year to 133rd--in the 2018 World Press Freedom Index of media watchdog Reporters Without Borders released on Wednesday.

According to the watchdog, the dynamism of the media in the country has been checked by the emergence of Duterte "who lost no time in warning the 'sons of whore journalists' that they would not be spared."

"Sino bang na-in danger dito with tirades of the President? Does Pia feel that she’s in anyway in danger? Has the President's rants prevented Pia or even Rappler from continuing what they habitually do? Hindi," Roque said at a press briefing.

Rappler has repeatedly earned the ire of Duterte and other Palace officials over what they view as irresponsible reporting that culminated with a ban on Rappler reporter Pia Ranada from all presidential coverage.

Duterte has also accused the Philippine Daily Inquirer and ABS-CBN of unfair reporting.

Roque said the administration has taken steps to protect media personnel.

He cited the establishment of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, which was created to monitor cases of media violence and to provide legal assistance to the victims and their families.

Earlier this month, the task force’s special agents conducted provincial investigations on cases of media workers’ killings, which resulted in the discovery of five more convictions in addition to three previously reported. 

"Wala naman po tayong pinakukulong na mga mamamahayag. Ang Presidente, hindi nagdedemanda ng libel. Kung ang Presidente nagagalit sa media, eh kasi kasagutan iyon doon sa mga tingin niyang hindi katotohanan ang sinusulat sa kaniya. So that’s within the free marketplace of ideas," Roque said.

"Hindi naman po pupuwede gagawing punching bag ang Presidente, hindi siya sasagot. 'Pag ginawa ninyo siyang punching bag, sasagot iyong Presidente natin. Iyon po siguro ang kakaiba kay Presidente and I like him for that," he added.

Roque also said the country's current ranking was "still an improvement" from 138th place in 2016 when the Duterte administration took over. — RSJ, GMA News