Media group mourns death of Inquirer’s Magsanoc  

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Friday paid tribute to Letty Jimenez Magsanoc, describing the late Philippine Daily Inquirer editor in chief as one who "stood firm in the constant struggle for a free and independent press to her last breath."

In a statement, the media group expressed its condelence to the media community, and Magsanoc's family and friends.

The NUJP noted how Magsanoc turned the Panorama publication during the Martial Law era from a "dispenser of useless lifestyle fluff into a feisty journal that twitted dictatorship at every opportunity."

"Letty will always be remembered as one of the brave few who, despite the tremendous difficulties, not to mention dangers, dared to insist on the independence of the press when the dictator Ferdinand Marcos decreed that its sole role was to sing paeans to his draconian New Society," it said.

The NUJP said Magsanoc also played a part in overthrowing the Marcos regime as editor of opposition tabloid magazine Mr & Ms. Special Edition.

Magsanoc also led the Inquirer as the newspaper "defiantly fought an advertising boycott called by then President Joseph Estrada in 2000," the group said.

"It is thanks to the example set by Letty and others who refused to allow press freedom to be swallowed by the darkness of totalitarian rule, among them Joe Burgos, NUJP founder Tony Nieva, Alfredo Navarro Salanga, that the tradition of independent Philippine journalism continues to thrive to this day despite the continued efforts, helped in no small part by official apathy and inaction, to silence us," said the NUJP.

Earlier, President Benigno Aquino III condoled with the family of Magsanoc, whom he said "always spoke to me frankly, and yet with deep understanding."

On Thursday night, the Inquirer announced the passing of Magsanoc. — Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/RSJ, GMA News