Broadcaster sues Kalinga governor

By Charlie Lagasca

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Jerome Tabanganay, broadcaster of dzRK Radyo ng Bayan here has filed cases of grave threat and physical injuries before the Kalinga prosecutor’s office against Gov. Jocel Baac for assaulting and threatening him while he was hosting his noontime program.

Tabanganay also filed administrative and criminal charges before the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Justice against Baac last Monday.

“We are also readying filing a case of malicious mischief against (Governor Baac) for causing the radio station to be off the air for about five minutes,” Tabangay added.

Tabanganay, 44, said he was heartened by the support from colleagues and other sectors who have been encouraging him to continue his crusade against anomalies in the provincial government despite threats to his life.

 He cited the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and other media groups who have assisted him in filing the case against Baac.

Earlier, former justice secretary Silvestre Bello III also offered to provide free legal assistance to Tabanganay.

Bello condemned Baac’s act as “dishonorable, cowardly and barbaric meant to silence those that dare to speak and expose the truth.”

“What was committed by Governor Baac was not only trespassing and physical injury but a violation of the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of the press and of expression,” he said.

Tabanganay said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma also called to inform him that an administrative case had been filed against Baac before the DILG.

At least two policemen were also tasked to provide security for Tabanganay since the assault happened.

Baac together with his bodyguards entered the radio booth where Tabanganay was having his regular noontime program and hit him with a microphone.

Tabanganay reportedly earned Baac’s ire for his exposes on illegal gambling and logging activities, reportedly going unabated in Kalinga.

He was assisted by lawyer Edward Buliyat, Tabanganay when he filed a complaint for physical injuries against Baac.

Tabanganay’s complaint was bolstered by his colleagues’ eyewitness accounts of the incident, which has drawn national and international attention as a video footage showing Baac assaulting the broadcaster inside the announcer’s booth of dzRK-Radyo ng Bayan last Tuesday was aired on major TV networks.

Robredo earlier ordered an in-depth investigation into the incident, saying Baac’s action is “tantamount to conduct unbecoming of a public official, abuse of power and discretion.” Robredo said Baac “should have been more prudent and patient under such circumstances, taking into account that the radio program was live on air.”

Tabanganay said Baac “should be suspended” so he cannot influence any investigation and the eventual case that will emerge from the Kalinga prosecutor’s office.

Last Wednesday, the Regional Peace and Order Council in the Cordilleras convened to discuss the incident, while Baac was immediately relieved as chairman of the Regional Development Council with Ifugao Gov. Eugene Balittang taking his place.

Meanwhile, lawyer Henry Tubban, Baac’s legal counsel, said, “We see nothing wrong with the incident.”

Tubban, together with lawyer Christian Wandag, met with journalists in Baguio last week to explain Baac’s side, saying the governor “just wanted to talk” to employees of dzRK-Radyo ng Bayan.

“It was caught on video; it’s up to you to judge,” Tubban said in the dialect, adding that Baac would answer charges once filed.

Tubban said Baac grabbed the microphone purposely to cut off any conversation on air. “It was only an accident that Jerome’s lip was hit,” he said.

Baac, together with armed bodyguards, broke into the announcer’s booth, hit Tabanganay with the guest’s microphone and allegedly even threatened to kill him.