Stop muzzling free press!

Notice how government officials and lawmakers keep talking about the need to regulate the press? But do they have any code of ethics for themselves like Filipino journalists do? Ask them.

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Journalist’s Code of Ethics
Formulated by Philippine Press Institute and National Press Club

1. I shall scrupulously report and interpret the news, taking care not to suppress essential facts or to distort the truth by omission or improper emphasis. I recognise the duty to air the other side and the duty to correct substantive errors promptly.

2. I shall not violate confidential information or material given me in the exercise of my calling.

3. I shall resort only to fair and honest methods in my effort to obtain news, photographs and/or documents, and shall properly identify myself as a representative of the press when obtaining any personal interview intended for publication.

4. I shall refrain from writing reports which will adversely affect a private reputation unless the public interest justifies it. At the same time, I shall fight vigorously for public access to information.

5. I shall not let personal motives or interests influence me in the performance of my duties; nor shall I accept or offer any present, gift or other consideration of a nature which may cast doubt on my professional integrity.

6. I shall not commit any act of plagiarism.

7. I shall not in any manner ridicule, cast aspersions on, or degrade any person by reason of sex, creed, religious belief, political conviction, cultural and ethnic origin.

8. I shall presume persons accused of crime of being innocent until proven otherwise. I shall exercise caution in publishing names of minors and women involved in criminal cases so that they may not unjustly lose their standing in society.

9. I shall not take unfair advantage of fellow journalists.

10. I shall accept only such tasks as are compatible with the integrity and dignity of my profession, invoking the ‘conscience clause’ when duties imposed on me conflict with the voice of my conscience.

11. I shall comport myself in public or while performing my duties as journalist in such manner as to maintain the dignity of my profession. When in doubt, decency should be my watch word.

The photogenic Renato Corona

The present is history in the making. I wonder how Philippine history books will view Renato Corona's shameful stint as chief justice of the Supreme Court. Below are my future historical photograph choices.

The tried and tested wheelchair act. When cornered by the law, pretend to be ill.

The not-so-great escape. He looks very spritely here for someone who's suffering from hypoglycemia and a possible heart attack.

Another not-so-great act. Does he look like he's suffering from hypoglycemia and a possible heart attack here?

The spectator. He should've seen what was coming and quit while he was ahead.

The thief justice. If he had declined the appointment, he would still be on the bench now.

The flag of our nation's founders

As we enter a cold war with China, let us ask ourselves:
What does it mean to be a Filipino?

You can start by displaying the flag ... proudly.

Did Gloria Arroyo sell us out to China?

Isn't this tantamount to high treason? Meanwhile, Chief Justice Renato Corona

continues to defend Gloria Arroyo.

Manuel Quezon's code of ethics for Filipinos

MALACAÑAN PALACE

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 217

PRESCRIBING CERTAIN CIVIC AND ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

TO BE TAUGHT IN ALL SCHOOLS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Whereas, section five of Article XIII of the Constitution provides that all schools shall aim to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience, and to teach the duties of citizenship;

Whereas, in order to comply with the above constitutional provision, it is necessary that a Code of Citizenship and Ethics be adopted and taught in the schools;

Whereas, pending the formulation of such a code by a committee representing the various elements of the community and the adoption thereof, it is essential that the schools should at once take steps in order to effectuate the mandate of the Constitution in this respect;

Now, therefore, I, Manuel L. Quezon, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me under the Constitution, do hereby direct the Secretary of Public Instruction to require all schools to teach the following civic and ethical principles, drafted by a group of eminent citizens;

1. Have faith in Divine Providence that guides the destinies of men and nations.
2. Love your country for it is the home of your people, the seat of your affections, and the source of your happiness and well-being. Its defense is your primary duty. Be ready at all times to sacrifice and die for it if necessary.
3. Respect the Constitution which is the expression of your sovereign will. The government is your government. It has been established for your safety and welfare. Obey the laws and see that they are observed by all and that public officials comply with their duties.
4. Pay your taxes willingly and promptly. Citizenship implies not only rights but also obligations.
5. Safeguard the purity of suffrage and abide by the decisions of the majority.
6. Love and respect your parents. It is your duty to serve them gratefully and well.
7. Value your honor as you value your life. Poverty with honor is preferable to wealth with dishonor.
8. Be truthful and be honest in thought and in action. Be just and charitable, courteous but dignified in your dealings with your fellow men.
9. Lead a clean and frugal life. Do not indulge in frivolity or pretense. Be simple in your dress and modest in your behavior.
10. Live up to the noble traditions of our people. Venerate the memory of our heroes. Their lives point the way to duty and honor.
11. Be industrious. Be not afraid or ashamed to do manual labor. Productive toil is conducive to economic security and adds to the wealth of the nation.
12. Rely on your own efforts for your progress and happiness. Be not easily discouraged. Persevere in the pursuit of your legitimate ambitions.
13. Do your work cheerfully, thoroughly, and well. Work badly done is worse than work undone. Do not leave for tomorrow what you can do today.
14. Contribute to the welfare of your community and promote social justice. You do not live for yourselves and your families alone. You are a part of society to which you owe definite responsibilities.
15. Cultivate the habit of using goods made in the Philippines. Patronize the products and trades of your countrymen.
16. Use and develop our natural resources and conservation for posterity. They are the inalienable heritage of our people. Do not traffic with your citizenship.

Done at the City of Manila, this nineteenth day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and thirty-nine, and of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, the fourth.


MANUEL L. QUEZON
President of the Philippines


By the President:

JORGE B. VARGAS
Secretary to the President