Kalinga gov’s statement on mediaman’s ‘maltreatment’

BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon

(In the interest of fair play, we print this unedited and unsigned “statement” of Kalinga Gov. Jocel Baac on allegations he harassed and manhandled radio announcer Jerome Tabanganay.)

At this very moment I assume that you have heard already about the incident at the DZRK Radyo ng Bayan during the Agenda Program last Tuesday afternoon.

That there is no truth that I intentionally hit Mr. Jerome Tabanganay with a microphone and that he suffered cuts and bruises on his face as reported by him. What happened was that his lips may have been accidentally hit when I got from behind the microphone in front of him for the purpose of stopping him for I could no longer endure his personal attack upon my person and the Kapihan body of which I am the chairman.

His uncorrected act of irresponsible broadcasting and unfair way in handling the Agenda Program of the DZRK Radyo ng Bayan, Tabuk is already damaging the image of the province which the provincial government is trying to uplift through its various development programs.

It should be noted that the Provincial Government volunteered to shoulder the cost of the repair of the transmitter tower of the DZRK previously destroyed by the typhoon in order that the radio station will assist the provincial government in promoting its various programs especially our tourism program.

This irresponsible and unfair way of Mr. Tabanganay in handling the Agenda program and in his indiscriminate act of airing unverified text messages which are damaging in nature was already brought out during the Kapihan sa Kapitolyo last May 2, 2011.

The Kapehan members suggested to the Manager that the Anchorman of the agenda program should verify first the veracity of the text messages and to give opportunity to his subjects to explain or give their side to a certain matter or issue before he will air and give comment.

That there were also suggestions to the Manager of DZRK that the Agenda program be abolished but the manager responded that he cannot do it for reason that the Agenda program is patterned after the national program of the Radyo ng Bayan.

A member of the Kapihan suggested to the manager to change the anchorman. The manager answered that he requested Mr. Tabanganay to give way to other staff to anchor the Agenda program but the latter insisted that he will continue to be the anchorman. Nevertheless, he informed that if the Kapihan has a problem or question with the agenda program, they can request anytime for a recorded copy of the airings of the agenda program.

That despite the suggestions and comments brought to the manager of the radio ng bayan by the Kapihan body, Mr. Tabanganay continued his irresponsible broadcasting and unfair way of handling the agenda program and the worst on May 24, 2011, Mr. Tabanganay was even convincing the New People’s Army (NPA) to open their cell phones so that they could talk relative to the apprehension of jueteng cobradors and so that he can submit the names of these cobradors.

His act in acknowledging on air the authority of the NPA to implement government duties and responsibilities has no good effect but only to cause to think that the NPAs are better than the elements of the Government. These should never be countenanced or tolerated, otherwise the government will lose its standing over its people.

That on June 7, 2011, he was again airing false information that Manager Bulayan of DZRK was scolded and insulted during June 6, 2011 Kapihan sa Kapitolyo making it appear that the Kapihan is a gruesome body and it is not any more a credible one.

There was no truth that I or the Kapihan body scolded or insulted Manager Basilio Baluyan of DZRK Radyo ng Bayan during the Kapihan at the Capitol last June 6, 2011 as repeatedly being announced by Mr. Tabanganay in the Agenda Program of the Radyo ng Bayan.

What really happened during the Kapihan meeting during the review of the minutes of the May 2, 2011 Kapihan, Mr. Baluyan requested me as chairman of the Kapihan body that his statement on the said minutes he changed because that was not his statement and I replied that the request cannot be granted because it was really his statement but Mr. Baluyan was allowed to explain and correct his statement during the issues arising from the minutes portion because that is the most appropriate part of the meeting that he can explain what he really mean to say during the May Kapihan.

Perhaps there was a time during the course of the said Kapihan meeting that I raised my voice but I was purely for the purpose of emphasizing something important or crucial and not for the purpose of maligning a persons or any other purpose. Those who are present during the Kapihan meeting can attest to what really had happened.

The continued act of Mr. Tabanganay in acknowledging and encouraging the participation of the NPA to implement government duties and responsibilities and airing false information that makes it appear that the Kapihan which is composed by all the department heads both local and National line agencies in the Province of Kalinga is a gruesome and a credible body is a serious matter which really affects the peace and order situation of the province of which I am responsible being the governor of the province.

All these prompted me to go to the DZRK radio station on June 7, 2011 purposely to talk to Mr. Tabanganay from his irresponsible and unfair attitude and at the same time to talk to him so that he will be more circumspect and balanced in his reporting considering that there was no effort from the DZRK management to check Mr. Tabanganay despite the many complaints brought to the manager.

I do not have any intention to hurt Mr. Tabanganay in any way. My Purpose was to see Mr. Tabanganay and sit down with him to answer the issues or text messages being to me but upon entering the booth he arrogantly said “Oh apay?” which prompted me to get the microphone so that our conversation will not be aired alive. He insisted and grabbed the other microphone to continue airing but I got hold of the same and then my companions came to usher me outside the booth.

Mr. Tabanganay should have inquired before hand from Manager Baluyan himself or any members of the Kapihan relative to the truthfulness of the said information or report so that he could have avoided broadcasting false and damaging statements.

I know that my presence in the Radyo ng Bayan might have caused inconvenience to the people who were there but my purpose in going there was for the good of the Province and our people.

Rest assured that I will stand firm in my advocacy for good governance, try and balanced reporting and fair in bringing information to the people. Thank you. Sincerely yours, JOCEL BAAC, Governor.