On judges and journalist

It has been an age-old tradition that the closeness between the judges and journalist gets better, especially when problems arise that threatens either or both of them.

In the threat to press freedom the journalists have turned to the courts for protection. The Supreme Court has always been called the last bulwark of democracy.

For defending press freedom through his circular to judges to just impose fines and not jail, Chief Justice Reynato Puno was threatened with impeachment for what his critics called his “usurping the power of law making.”

We all know he will not be impeached. But, in the most unlikely event some foolish lawmakers try their luck, you can see the press rising as one to defend the Chief Justice.

The Chief Justice was not afraid. His reaction, “If I get impeached for protecting the people, so be it.”

He told media in Dagupan, Pangasinan. In answer to Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol, he said, “It is consistent with the unyielding jurisprudence of the Supreme Court that when it comes to the violations of speech and of the press, we always adopt the highest standard of examining whether there is such a breach of freedom of speech and of the press.”

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Last week, in the launching of a book “A Test of Courage – Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban” by Evelyn Miranda Feliciano, Supreme Court Justice Antonio T. Carpio, guest speaker, said: “The ultimate test for any Supreme Court and for the Justices who compose it is…a test of courage for the Constitution mandates…a Justice of the Supreme Court must be a person of proven…independence.”

It's a beautiful speech that every judge should have a copy of what Justice Carpio said, the Constitution does not require a judge to be brilliant but only competent and independent in addition to being of proven integrity and probity.

And they are not afraid to discipline people in their rank. In like manner, I believe, journalists do not need to be brilliant. Better if they are. What he needs is competence and independence in addition to being of proven integrity and probity.

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Last week, I sat down with an old friend, Dr. Mariano Villarosa. We recalled again the time when he sued us with Twinkling for libel. Mariano then wanted me to reveal the source of what I wrote. I refused because it is my right to protect my source. He said, he would sue me and I said, go ahead. As editor-in-chief Twinkling was included.

The case was dismissed later. And Dr. Villarosa's father scolded him for filing a case against a relative. Twinkling, being a Ramos, is related to the Villarosas, all of them from Sum-ag. Dr. Villarosa is always a friend.

I sympathize with Twinkling. As the editor-in-chief, she gets into trouble because of her writers.

Very recently, a friend felt I unjustly hit him and with his group, met with Twinkling complaining against me. Twinkling explained the set-up in a newspaper, but didn't tell me about the meeting until later.

She told me later that they are all our friends. I said, yes, they are my friends, too. Carla said it better, “The problem with you is you are mischievous. And some people don't understand it.”

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My point is, like judges, journalists work better if they have independence, honest in their opinion and an integrity that is intact. Brilliance is not very necessary. But better if there is.

I recall Twinkling saying, “I told them the opinion of the columnists is theirs, and no one can change that.” All these years, she has always defending her staff, whether the fight is in the Negros Press Club or outside. She is better, she has no enemies. I have. I mean those who perceive themselves they are. Although I believe I have none.

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I hope all our judges get a copy of that book “Test of Courage.” Based on the review, I think it's about retired Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban.

Art Panganiban has authored plenty of books, a very prolific writer. During our college days, he was president of the Student Council of Far Eastern University while the editor was Godo Camacho.

When I received a journalism award from the Rotary Club of Manila in 2000, he gave me an autographed latest book.

Panganiban has passed the torch to his successor Reynato S. Puno and they are both holding it high registering good marks in the test of courage.*

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