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Media and the Law

The Zamboanga del Norte Press Club, Inc during its
47th induction of officers on April 14 at Top Plaza Hotel
this city had a very challenging speaker true to his words
being known as definite and brave in handling different
cases as RTC Judge,Branch 26 in Manila.
He is Judge Silvino T. Pampilo, Jr. who holds other
responsibilities as Professor of Law and Pre-Bar
Reviewer, Remedial Law, Political Law and Commercial
Law; Lecturer : Mandatory Continuing Legal Education
and Lecturer Philippine Judicial Academy.
Firstly, Judge Pampilo discussed the Primary Role
of News and Media to the Society. That the role of media
is undoubtedly a very important function of our democratic
system.To disseminate information to the public is one
of the primary roles of the news and media.
Regardless of whether it is accurate, credible or not,
the public gathers information on current events to
entertainment. With the development of modern
technology, news and media have gone from television,
radio and newspapers to the web.
Secondly, our guest speaker dealt on the
tremendous responsibility of a journalist. Once a writer
takes the challenge of being a journalist the
responsibilities become much greater, the stakes much
higher, we were reminded of the nine fundamental
principles of journalism.---
1. Journalism's first obligation is to the truth.
2. Journalism's first loyalty is to its citizens.
3. The essence of journalism is a discipline of verification.
4. Its practitioners must maintain a distance from those
they write
about.
5. Journalism must serve as an independent monitor of
power.
6. It must provide a forum for public criticism and
compromise.
7.Journalism must strive to make the significant
interesting and
relevant.
8. It must keep news comprehensive and
proportional.and
9. Journalism practitioners must be allowed to practice
their
personal conscience.

And thirdly, Judge Pampilo discussed about the

Freedom of the Press vs. Responsibility of the Press,
saying the court has long respected freedom of the
press, and upheld the same when it came to
commentaries made on public figures and matters of
public interest. Even in cases wherein the freedom
of the press was given greater weight over the
rights of individuals, the court, however, has
stressed that such freedom is not absolute and
unbounded.
The exercise of this right or any right enshrined
in the Bill of Rights, indeed, comes with an equal
burden of responsible exercise of that right. The
recognition of a right is not free license for the
one claiming it to run roughsod over the rights of
others.
The Journalist's Code of Ethics adopted by
the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines
shows that the press recognizes that it has
standards to follow in the exercise of press
freedom; that this freedom carries duties and
responsibilities. Article 1 of said code states that
journalists " recognize the duty to air the other
side and the duty to correct substantive errors
promptly. Article VIII states that journalists "shall
presume persons accused of crime of being
innocent until proven otherwise."
As authority of the law, our guest speaker
gave a stern warning to media practitioners ,either
writing or broadcasting to be careful of being
libelled .
Thanks to Judge Pampilo, the message
serves as a fair warning to those brave in
broadcasting and sharp and biting in writing .I
believe these practitioners know about our
limitation ,yet some do not adhere to the code of
ethics, for reasons only known to them. It's good
to be reminded from an authority of the law. Judge
Pampilo did it .
" Beware ."......... is the word.

Did I hear it right that Judge Pampilo had

convicted for libel two daring popular TV hosts in
Manila ? Correct .
xxxxxxx

Oh yes, it was really a fun night of the ZNPC

.. Everyone seemed happy and relaxed with and
among club members or visitors. Some few old
members , dili tigulang, have come surprisingly,like
past president and former Provincial Health Officer,
Dr. Ric Ochotorena who was in the U.S. and now
having a dual citizenship, Dr. Mac Corsino who must
have been abroad; Halleck Valdez, now a lawyer
connected with the Bureau of Customs and Leonie
Quizo who hibernated somewhere in Barcelona- in
Dapitan not in Spain. Also in attendance was the
youthful looking OIC provincial director of PNP Supt.
Ramon Ochotorena who at the same time holds a
much higher position in the PNP regional level.The
city government of Dipolog was represented by
vice-mayor Senen Angeles in the absence of Mayor
Evelyn Uy who's out of town. VM Angeles is a
good friend of the media-even if our friend Evelyn
was present, Senen would still come to grace the
"pressly" occasion aron dili" libakon."
Everyone was so "at home" with our guest
speaker so that Judge Pampilo was posing here
and there among club members, visitors and friends
for souvenir- he being a Dipolognon. Thanks to the
good judge-pinagbigyan ang lahat na gustong
magpa picture with him.
Spices of press jokes and wits were heard from
the three lawyers of the club- Paul Gudmalin,
James Cyril Ruiz and Peter Co. Kun present pa
unta si former fiscal Ruben Legorio daghan pa pud
to ug mga pasiaw . We missed you Kumpare ko.
Ang wala pa nako madungog nga mocomedya
mao si Judge Pio Velasco, the inducting officer. Of
course, he laughed at their jokes..
xxxxxxx
Jose Rizal Memorial State University -Dipolog
City campus , on April 11 celebrated with pride and
honor its commencement exercises conveniently
held in its newest and just finished university
gymnasium which provided comfort accommodation
to the graduates , parents, university
personalities ,guests, visitors and other attendees.
The occasion's theme is JRMSU :Emerging
Towards the Frontiers of World-Class Higher
Education. The premier university of Zanorte is
mandated to provide higher professional, technical
special instructions for special purposes, promote
research and extension services, advanced
studies and progressive leadership in education,
engineering, criminology, arts and sciences and
other fields.
By virtue of RA 9852 authored by then the
honorable Congresswoman Cecilia Jalosjos-Carreon
of the 1st District of Zamboanga del Norte and
now mayor of Pinan, the former state college has
now become a university. Mayor Cely gave an
inspirational message.
Hearing from the lady emcee,university
instructor Jograce Elia-Jordan- is she my daughter
? correct, JRMSU of Dipolog Campus has a
commendable and high-calibered faculty members
and staff who cater to the complete needs of the
students in the academe.
The deans from different colleges include Dr.
Nenfa R. Taub of the College of Arts and Sciences
also the Dean of Academic Instruction , Dr. Luz L.
Sy of the College of Education, Dr. Luvisminda N.
Paquibot of the College of Engineering and
Technology and Dr.Marvin A. Recapente of the
College of Criminology.
Setting various examples to sustain the
integrity of the university and recognized as goal-
setters and have encouraged people in the
university to strive for excellence, competency and
efficiency, the university has indispensable
personalities to boast of like the vice-president , Dr.
Cecilia S. Saguin, a full-fledged university
professor and Vice-President for Academic Affairs ;
and Dr.Evelyn R. Campiseno ,a full-fledged
university professor and Vice-President for
Research , Extension and Development.
The commencement speaker, the
honorable Commissioner of Higher Education, Dr.
Nona S. Ricafort , also the Chairperson of JRMSU
Board of Regents was proudly introduced by the
ever respected, loved and admired president of
the Jose Rizal Memorial State University, Dr. Edgar
S. Balbuena , he who has an academic excellence
in leadership, worthy of emulation.
Also present during the significant affair
were the Hon. Nelson P. Cabral, Representative of
Sen. Edgardo Angara, Member of the JRMSU Board
of Regents, Hon. Felipe A. Pialago, Faculty Regent,
JRMSU Board of Regents and Hon. Roberto
N.Pinsoy, President, Alumni Association JRMSU,
Dipolog Campus.
Five honorees were awarded as Cum
Laude : John Michael Saromines,Ju-em T.
Tapales,Dennis S. Bustillo, Eilean Mae G.
Jemina,and Jeoffrey M. Alob, Jr.
xxxxxxx
Let's meditate briefly with Pastor Joel Osteen as
he tells us to learn to be content, regardless of our
circumstances . We must trust that God is at work
in our lives. We need to believe that we are
making progress, that we are growing. The Bible
says God changes us little by little. Let's not be
upset or discontented; know God is in control. If
God is ordering your steps, that means where you
are right now is exactly where God wants you to be
This meditation is biblically inspired by Psalm 37
verses 23-24.
xxxxxxx
Quote *** " No man has a right to do what he
pleases, except when he pleases to do
right.
MIZPAH** "auntie sally" 065 2129737
09999922265
*** Charles Simmons***