Why decriminalize libel?

I have always been against decriminalizing libel. There has been a move not to consider libel as a crime. This will embolden some media people to throw away the ethics of journalism just to pursue some personal grudges against perceived enemies.

If there were extra-judicial killings of journalists, one reason could be the difficulty for those hurt by attacks of media to get justice from the courts because of the power of media. As an alternative, they kill the media man. Less costly.

People in media must be responsible for what they write or broadcast. If the injury to the other person's name is unjustified or malicious, he should be made to answer for it.

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I don't know if the shooting of Bambi Yngson was due to grudge of the assailant or a grudge of a mastermind, if there is one, but many have said, there was no reason to use a gun.

I know Bambi Yngson and have been listening to his broadcasts. He is fearless but I have noted he is balanced, seeing to it that those he criticized have the opportunity to answer.

The problem however, is there are exposes that are true. I am not saying Bambi made a truthful expose but piecing together the snippets of information on the case, there is a good ground for a thorough investigation which must start with the suspension or transfer of those believed to have been involved in order that he or they cannot influence the investigation.

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It was good that Chief Superintendent Geary Barias was in Iloilo yesterday and proceeded to Bacolod to make a personal investigation. General Barias heads Task Force Usig, a special police unit created to look into the murder of activists and journalists.

And General Barias is very reliable and fair. He used to be a provincial commander here and left a very good record. In every job he has been assigned to, he always excelled. It's not far fetched if he becomes a future Chief of Staff.

We in media just ask for a thorough, fair, and credible investigation by investigators with integrity. We want to know the truth.

We will monitor the investigation until Yngson gets justice.

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We got feedback from our column on the President's SONA. Many liked the President saying she will be a strong President.

From Idaho, in the U.S., Robert Clause, a Bacolod resident and on vacation in his homeland, e-mailed me he is happy with the President saying, she will be a strong President. They are coming back August 7, Bob said. He also likes the idea in my column of reviving the Latin Mass. Bob and wife Annie went to the U.S. on the death of Bob's brother which also coincided with the death of Annie's brother in Cansilayan, Murcia. Our condolence.

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The military gave a deadline to MILF to surrender the culprits in the beheading of the Marines. The deadline has long passed. MILF just ignored the deadline, believing probably and with basis, that they were just empty threats.

Now the problem has become a comedy. The military points to the insurgents. The insurgents point to the politicians. The politicians point to each other. And the finger-pointing continues. The military credibility suffers.

Sun Tzu from his book, "The Art of War" said, the commander's credibility is more important than his cannons.

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This is a rainy season. But, have you noted rain is scarce. We hoped for a storm to bring the rains. There is none. In areas serviced by hydro electric, expect blackouts. But the biggest danger is this year's palay production will surely drop. This is welcome to countries supplying us with rice. We will be importing heavily from them again.

This kind of weather, however, is good for sugar. The problem in sugar is the price is erratic. As long as government does not stop smuggling, sugar prices will continue to be low.

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I commiserate with former Manila Congressman Mario Batacan Crespo, also known as Mark Jimenez. His two children Virgilio and Maria Carolina Crespo-Fah filed a court petition in Pasig RTC for guardianship over their father.

The petitioners' ground was the father had an "unsound mind" and "violent and a danger to the family members, to others and to himself."

Pitiful, really. I am proud I and Rolly Espina are loved by our children. I like Rolly in his column yesterday confessing he thanked God he is circumcised.

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Topnotch Senator Loren Legarda is in town. She has a press conference at L'Fisher Hotel at 8 to 9 this morning. My Feedback program will air her press conference.

With GMA saying she is stepping down in 2010, will not Loren very well fit into her shoe? Just a thought.

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Negros Navigation celebrated its 75th anniversary yesterday.

The history of Negros Navigation is a story of entrepreneurship and the vision of the late Don Julio and Doña Florentina Ledesma.

We wish NN another 75 years of service to our sea travelers.

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Erratum: In our column yesterday, we erroneously wrote Ms. Cristine Coyiuto was in the dinner at the residence of Monet and Yoly Kilayko. It was Donna Lina, executive director of the Manila Symphony Orchestra we mistook as Mrs. Coyiuto, wife of Prudential Guarantee Corporate Treasurer James Coyiuto. Our apologies.*

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