Broadcast journalist and ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Rowena Niña Taduran has joined opposition and administration lawmakers in congratulating journalist Maria Ressa for becoming the first Filipino to win a Nobel Peace Prize.
Taduran formalized her congratulatory message to Ressa by filing a resolution calling for a Lower House commendation for Ressa. The resolution will be referred to the proper committee when session resumes next month.
An assistant majority leader, Taduran becomes the fourth official of the majority bloc to cite Ressa’s rare feat as a journalist.
Earlier, messages of congratulations were sent by Deputy Speakers Rufus Rodriguez, Conrado Estrella III and Salvador Leachon.
Taduran said Ressa’s victory “is a triumph for all media practitioners who continue to search for truth amidst all circumstances.” “Ressa has proven her indefatigable pursuit for the truth behind the news, having been an investigative journalist for many decades. She is an inspiration to all media workers, to continue their gargantuan task of delivering the news and digging deeply behind the stories when necessary,” the veteran broadcast journalist said.
The solon believes that with Ressa’s Nobel Peace Prize, Philippine media will earn more respect worldwide, more so in our country where media workers are still treated unfairly by some media company owners.
“I am still praying that the Media Workers Welfare Bill which I filed at the start of the 18th Congress will finally be signed into law. This bill will help professionalize the media industry and will ensure journalists, technical people and other media workers of proper safeguards as they perform their jobs,” she stated.
Under the bill, all media workers will be given wages mandated by law, enjoy security of tenure, will be accorded the appropriate hazard and overtime pay plus insurance and other benefits.
All media workers who are assigned to cover dangerous and hazardous events or situations shall be given an additional ₱500 daily pay. Death and disability benefits amounting to ₱200, 000 shall also be awarded to the affected media worker.
They will be provided with bullet proof vests and helmets and medical grade personal protective equipment during hazardous coverages.