Press Release
March 8, 2007

Jinggoy assails arrest of Newsbreak editor

Opposition stalwart Sen. Jinngoy Ejercito Estrada yesterday denounced the arrest last Wednesday of a female editor of online newsmagazine Newsbreak due to a P100-million libel suit filed by Ilocos Sur Governor and administration senatorial candidate Luis Chavit Singson.

Estrada said the arrest of Gemma Bagayaua Mendoza, Newsbreaks online editor, is part of the harassment of the critics of the Arroyo Administration and its allies.

Pasig policemen nabbed Mendoza at the magazines office in Pasig City. Mendoza later posted a P10,000 bail for her temporary liberty.

Singson filed the libel case against the Newsbreak staff including editor-in-chief Maritess Vitug and managing editor Glenda Gloria after the magazine published reports depicting the alleged privileges enjoyed by the Ilocos Sur governor from the Arroyo Administration.

Estrada said the harassment of media practitioners who criticize the administration is a direct violation of press freedom.

The arrest of mediamen who expose the abuses of Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her allies is a curtailment of the freedom of the press and expression, Estrada said.

The editors and staff of Newbreak are also facing another libel case filed by Mrs. Arroyos husband Mike Arroyo, who has filed multiple suits against more than 40 other journalists. The administration should change and reform itself and stop the abuses committed against the people, instead of harassing journalists and critics.

The administration needs character change to improve its image and return the trust of the people to Malacanang, he said.

Estrada has urged Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Information, to set a public hearing in aid of legislation his proposed Magna Carta for Journalists which intend to provide protection and welfare to the members of the so-called Fourth Estate.

News Latest News Feed