Guidelines for the long-term?

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor ERIC T. LORETIZO Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The report that the Palace is planning to meet with newspapers, radio and TV organizations today to hammer out guidelines on how they are to treat the news while under a State of Emergency is even more frightening than the knowledge that this country has been placed in that category.

Is this going to be a sort of "peace talk" like the one the government cannot even sustain, no matter how much it concedes and stretches its patience with the rebels from the Communists Party and the New People's Army? Are we now regarded as adversaries, if not actual enemies?

Legal experts and Constitutionalists continue to argue that the mere declaration of a State of Emergency, granting that this one is legitimate, does NOT take away any of the privileges we, as citizens of this so-called democratic country, are entitled to under the Bill of Rights.

As for the so-called "guidelines", will these supercede the existing laws of the land governing the exercise of such rights? Do we not have enough laws that prescribe appropriate penalties when violated, such as our libel laws, the laws against sedition, and other crimes that may be committed against the state?

If there have been media entities or individual who have transgressed these laws, why have they not been properly charged in the courts of the land?

It is puzzling, too, why, despite the repeated declarations and pronouncements of various officials that everything is under control, that the enemies have been neutralized, and things are now normal, all those concerned seem to be rushing all over the place looking for excuses to prolong the tenure of this very unpopular, very intimidating, and very immoral order.

And one thing more: There is also something sinister about the meeting being planned for today, if, indeed, it does take place. Because why would "guidelines" still be needed to be set down if there is an intention to lift Proclamation 1017 soon?

Perhaps the Palace only wants the media to show contrition and know their station.*