Through the adoption of a House resolution (HR), the House of Representatives has collectively expressed its condemnation of the killing of veteran broadcaster, Percival "Percy Lapid" Mabasa.
HR No.489 was adopted during the plenary session on Monday, Nov. 7, the first session after a month-long recess.
“Local and international journalists were outraged and deeply saddened by the killing of Mr. Percival ‘Percy Lapid’ C. Mabasa, and they considered this dastardly act as an attack to the freedom of speech and of the press that must be stopped in order to save and maintain democracy,” read HR No.489.
“Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives, to condemn in the strongest possible terms, the senseless killing of veteran broadcaster Percival 'Percy Lapid' C. Mabasa and to express grave concern for the safety and security of journalists in the country,” it added.
Speaker Martin Romualdez, Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe, and House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan authored the measure. It was filed on Oct. 20.
Lapid, a hard-hitting radio commentator, was killed in Las Piñas City during an ambush last Oct. 3. His death has sparked outrage among media practitioners and government officials.