Press freedom caravan in Europe baffles senators

Senators yesterday questioned a plan of the Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) to hold an information caravan in Europe to counter criticisms that the Duterte administration is suppressing press freedom in the country.

Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public information and mass media, said the move of the PCOO to discuss media-related issues, including the arrest of Rappler chief executive officer Maria Ressa, is unnecessary and a waste of taxpayers’ money.

“Is it really necessary to spend people’s money on this? Were the explanations of different officials who spoke on the issues not enough?” Poe asked.

She said Ressa’s case has been filed before the courts and all respondents should just let the case proceed.

Poe said it would be better if the PCOO used its funding to encourage parents to have their children vaccinated, or help in promoting orderly and peaceful elections this May.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan is wondering why the administration is keen on clearing its name before the international community over Ressa’s case. Pangilinan said the government has ignored criticisms on extrajudicial killings as a result of the drug war.

He said the statements of President Duterte’s defenders are “enough to parry the views on the apparently harassment incident.”

“Could it be that Secretary (Martin) Andanar and the PCOO people just want a whiff of winter, thus the sudden urge to go into this information caravan?” Pangilinan said.

He said he wants to find out how much taxpayers’ money the PCOO is spending for the trip.

“Let’s use our meager resources judiciously,” Pangilinan said.

He said the opposition Otso Diretso senatorial candidates – Rep. Gary Alejano, Sen. Bam Aquino, Chel Diokno, Samira Gutoc, Florin Hilbay, Romulo Macalintal, former interior secretary Mar Roxas and former congressman Erin Tañada – would ensure that the people’s money will be spent on people’s needs and not on the whims of those in power.