SC oral arguments on 'Team Patay' tarp to have audio recording, too

The public, especially netizens, can expect more downloadable audio recordings of the Supreme Court's oral arguments, including the one scheduled two weeks from now regarding the controversial "Team Patay" tarpaulins of a Bacolod church. "We will podcast all oral arguments as much as we can... even the next one on March 19 on the tarps," said  SC Public Information Office chief Theodore Te on Friday in an interview on GMA News TV's “News To Go.” Printed on a large tarpaulin and placed on a wall at the San Sebastian Cathedral was a list of supposed bishop-approved senatorial candidates, called Team Buhay, and a list of supposedly undesirable candidates, called Team Patay. The list is based on a candidate's stand regarding the reproductive health law. Under the Team Patay roster are those who supported the passage of the law while Team Buhay is the list of candidates said to be pro-life and who voted against the bill. Last week, the Supreme Court granted Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra's request for a temporary restraining order, effectively preventing the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from removing the poster. The court also set the case for oral arguments on March 19. Te said audio podcasts of the proceedings would not only benefit law students who wanted to review court cases, but even other non-academic individuals. "Puwede nila pakinggan kahit habang nagja-jogging sila," he said. "This is one way of seeing transparency... para malaman mo kung gano kalinaw nagtanong ang justices at gaano kagaling ang abugado," he added. In an unprecedented leap into cyberspace, the SC for the first time uploaded on its website last January a complete audio recording of the oral arguments on the controversial Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. The downloadable recording was made available on the Supreme Court website just hours after the arguments ended. Traditionally, such oral arguments are not allowed to be broadcast live by any means. Traditionally, reporters are only allowed to cover oral arguments using pen and paper. Cameras, mobile phones, and digital recorders would have to be deposited with the SC security office before reporters can enter the session hall where hearings are conducted. — Mark Merueñas/KBK, GMA News