Lawmakers belonging to the House Makabayan bloc composed of party-list representatives filed last Tuesday a bill seeking to exempt journalists from acting as witnesses in anti-narcotics operations.
The proposal denominated as House Bill 8832 was filed by ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, ACT Party-list Rep. France Castro, Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Elago and Gabriela Partylist Reps. Emi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas.
The bill aims to amend the current provision of the Section 21 (1) of the Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, by removing the media from persons required to sign copies of the inventory of seized illegal drugs or items after operations.
National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) members lobbied for the bill back in 2018 through “The Sign Against the Sign” signature campaign.
The media union opposed the practice, charging that some reporters have been forced to sign the witness form even if they were not present during the anti-drug operations.
NUJP chair Nonoy Espina said that the bill advances their campaign to correct a law that continues to endanger many journalists or subject them to official abuse.
“We urge lawmakers to support the measure and help protect and advance independent journalism,” Espina said in a text message.
With just a few months before the Congress takes a break for the upcoming 2019 midterm elections, he is not worried that the bill will not be passed on time.
“This make it easier to refile it in the next Congress and push for its prioritization,” Espina said.
He said that NUJP will continue to lobby the bill, until it will be enacted into law.
