READING penal provisions from the law on anti-money laundering and an apology for “unintended” intimidation cannot limit the media’s right to report on corruption, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said on Wednesday.
In a statement, the NUJP rejected warnings from Mark C. Vinluan, defense lawyer for Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio, that the media can be held criminally liable for violating the Anti-Money Laundering Act’s (AMLA) information security and confidentiality clauses.
Mr. Vinluan repeatedly emphasized penalties under AMLA during his cross-examination of prosecution witness Ronel U. Buenaventura, the executive director of the Anti-Money Laundering Council.
On Tuesday, he apologized to senator-judges, saying it was never his intention to intimidate.
The NUJP said it does not take attempts to silence and intimidate journalists, whether intended or not, lightly.
“We are all too familiar with how the AMLA has been used to silence independent journalists in the Philippines, many of whom remain detained years after the Duterte administration launched its campaign to silence dissenters and rights advocates,” the NUJP said.
Section 16 of the AMLA, the union said, states it should not be used as a means for political prosecution or harassment.
Official proceedings make suspicious transaction reports (STRs) into matters of public interest, the group said, adding the press’ right to report on such matters overrides the interests of public officials whose dealings are scrutinized by the non-disclosure of these STRs.
“The public has the right to know,” the NUJP said. “The press will continue to report on matters of public interest.” — Francessca S. Abalos