Palace exec rejects media regulation

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In a recent interview, Egco said the living conditions of journalists in the country could be improved without resorting to either “regulation” or “accreditation.”

“Ayawkong regulation, mediaman dinakoeh (I am also a mediaman, I do not want regulation),” Egco told reporters at the sidelines of the PTFoMS “Seminar on the implementation of the Operational Guidelines of Administrative Order 1.”

AO 1, which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on October 11, 2016, created the PTFoMS to address violations of the right to life, liberty and security of the members of the media.

Egco rose from the ranks as a reporter to becoming assignments editor and chief of reporters of The ManilaTimes. Prior to joining the government, he was president of the National Press Club.

Egco said his desire was to give dignity to the profession by strengthening the industry and addressing vulnerabilities.

“How do we address those vulnerabilities parapatibayinyung industry (to strengthen the industry?). Hindiparaalisinyungmga taoperoparapatibayin,lagyanmo ngdignidadyung profession (Not to remove or terminate people, but to dignify the profession),” he said.

On the issue on salaries and wages, Egco cited an old bill in Congress, the Magna Carta for Journalists, which never prospered for reportedly being outrightly unacceptable.

“Datimay Magna Carta for journalists, tinurn- down natin. Why? Walangnakasaadkungmagkano angsweldo.Nire- regulate [ angindustriya], (There was a Magna Carta for journalists which we turned down because it did not mention the salaries. It sought to regulate media, I don’t want that too),” he said.

“Hindimopwedengsabihin kungsinolangmag- practice, accredit or not accredit. (You cannot dictate who can practice, who can be accredited or not) That’s wrong!” he added.