Ladies and gentlemen of the press, we have just been insulted

“OUT of respect,” so to speak, to our media colleagues at Rappler, the National Press Club, which I headed, would not be issuing any statement—supportive or critical—about Rappler founder, Maria Ressa, being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2021, along with Russia’s Dmitry Muratov.

Be that as it may, this would not stop me from sharing my personal view on the matter thru this publication as a member of the press, who, like many others, is as “speechless” as Maria Ressa (her word) on learning of the decision by the Nobel Prize Committee.

Well, if Ressa is “speechless” over the announcement because of the added prestige it has given her, many of the country’s working journos like yours truly are also “speechless” for believing that she does not deserve it at all as Ressa and Rappler’s “brand” of journalism can, in no way, “represent” Philippine journalism at all.

Indeed, given what has come out of the woodworks regarding her, self-respecting Filipino journalists would consider her award an insult and a disgrace to the entire profession—while also learning more how callous Western Imperialism is when it comes to disrespecting the Fourth Estate.

First, we now know that Ressa has no respect at all for the rule of law and the Constitution when the SEC discovered, in 2018, that she allowed foreign interests, mainly Omidyar Network, to invest in Rappler, which is in direct violation of the constitutional provision barring the entry, investment and ownership of any foreigner of any Philippine media entity.

Given her level of intelligence, it is foolish to say that Ressa is not aware of this or “wala siyang alam.”

Then, in 2020, she got convicted for libel over an article that was used by the Aquino administration as added cannon-fodder in the campaign to oust Chief Justice Renato Corona from the Supreme Court in 2012. In our parlance, “nagpagamit si Ressa at Rappler.”

In both instances, Ressa, her ego in full display, persisted in identifying her personal-made problems to “suppression of press freedom” in the country.

Translation? Feeding her megalomania, Ressa’s persistent effort to make her the “personification” or the “face” of Philippine journalism is her way to not only promote herself but also, her way of hiding the criminal nature of her actions—the reason why she and Rappler were hauled to court in the first place.

That “sanay magpagamit si Ressa at ang Rappler” to foreign interests and their commie allies, the CPP—who all have a ton of salt to grind against the Duterte administration– is now also beyond dispute.

Indeed, in reporting incidents related to CPP-NPA terrorism, Rappler has been standing shoulder-to-shoulder with ABS-CBN and the PDI in downplaying CPP-NPA terrorism or giving the terrorists a positive spin if needed. Just look at the way these media outlets reported the murder of Keith Absalon and his cousin in Masbate last June by the NPA.

Above all, Ressa, who is an American citizen by the way but who has since insisted she is a true-blooded “Filipina,” takes pride in demonizing the Philippines and its government before the global community by falsely reporting and “dramatizing” the government’s anti-drug campaign. In other words, she doesn’t mind besmirching our international image because this is what her foreign patrons want to begin with.

And yes, contrary to her claim that she is a “war correspondent” and that the Philippines, under Pres. Duterte, has become a “war zone” for members of the press, we all know she has not been a war correspondent nor has she covered any war zone in the country. Kahit nga sa mga police beats, hindi man lang siya nakapag-cover, hindi ba?

And pray, save from soliciting foreign aid and donations to promote her brand of journalism here that is mainly anchored in hatred against Pres. Rody and partisanship in favor of Yellow and Red politics, what has she done to really promote the welfare of struggling Filipino journalists, especially in the provinces?

Wala pa tayong nabalitaan na kahit isang napatay na mamamahayag na tinulungan nitong si Ressa at Rappler para maipalibing ng maayos o matulungan ang pamilya na kahit isang anak ay makapagtapos ng pag-aaral—katulad ng ginagawa ng NPC.

With this award that Ressa can now claim as “representing” Philippine journalism, she is actually only making a claim for herself and her minions at Rappler.

That award is as alien as the ‘Man from Mars’ to any hardworking Filipino journalist, who remains humble, independent from foreign influence and responsible in the practice of his profession.

Translation? Sa iyo na yang ‘award’ mo, Ressa, hindi ‘yan para sa buong hanay ng media sa ‘Pinas.

Stuck it in any opening in your body, hane? But don’t wave it around. Don’t insult us further, dahil kilala ka namin, Ms. Maria Ressa, understood?