Inquirer.net: Removal of Pepsi Paloma articles not an issue of press freedom

The decision to temporarily take down opinion pieces on the rape case and death of '80s actress Pepsi Paloma does not have to do with the issue of press freedom but with verifying the information in the articles, Inquirer.net said Thursday.

In a statement posted on the news site, publisher and editor-in-chief Abelardo Ulanday said that the articles in question are "unavailable on the site pending a review of the allegations made there by US-based writer Atty. Rodel Rodis."

He said that Rodis is not an employee of Inquirer.net but has been contributing monthly opinion pieces.

Ulanday noted that Senate President Vicente Sotto III had written to them on May 29 to formally request that the pieces be taken down, saying that they were unverified and have been negatively affecting his reputation.

The opinion pieces had been posted on the site in March 2014.

The articles, "The Rape of Pepsi Paloma" and "Was Pepsi Paloma Murdered?", can no longer be accessed on the Philippine Daily Inquirer's online site as of July 4. When clicked, the links to the stories direct online readers to the Inquirer homepage.

Ulanday said as they do when similar requests are made, they asked Rodis to substantiate some of the allegations. The news site emailed Rodis on June 23, but has yet to receive a reply.

"In making this decision, we are adhering to journalism’s core values of accuracy, fairness, balance, integrity and responsibility. Any doubt or question on the veracity of its articles are taken seriously and dealt with properly in accordance with our values and principles. We do this on all stories, features, and opinion pieces," Ulanday said.

"We believe this is not a question of press freedom but the veracity of a story. We thank the public for your concern. Rest assured that Inquirer.net remains to uphold what is true and fair without compromising our values," he added.

Sotto refused to comment when asked asked about the removal of the articles from the site.

"I'd rather not comment if you don't mind please, kasi palalakihin na naman ng mga ibang tao 'yan walang kakwenta kwentang issue," he said in a text message to GMA News Online. — BM, GMA News