The Czech Republic Embassy in Manila agreed to fund a P1-million project with the Center for People’s Media (CPM) for a series of forums promoting democracy and press freedom that will culminate with the commemoration of the first death anniversary of slain broadcast journalist Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa.
(From left) Chargé d’affaires ad interim Dalibor Mička of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in the Philippines and Center for People’s Media (CPM) President Veronica Uy sign the agreement to honor slain broadcast journalist Percy Lapid on the occasion of his first death anniversary. (Photo from Roy Mabasa)
In a statement sent by the CPM, Czech Republic Chargé d’Affaires Dalibor Mička expressed excitement about a project that would support the rule of law.
“I am very excited about the future implementation of our Transition Project because projects like this support rule of law and human rights. This is the main purpose of this project,” he said.
“And, I am more than confident that this one will support both, and that it will facilitate adherence to freedom of speech and freedom of media in the Philippines,” the diplomat added.
The project, entitled “Keeping the Flame of Freedom Alive,” will culminate in the last of three forums which will be held in Manila on October 3, Lapid’s first death anniversary.
Two other forums on press freedom and democracy will be organized in Dumaguete City and Cagayan De Oro City.
Veronica Uy, CPM president, also shared that the project would archive Lapid’s broadcast episodes into one website.
Lapid, a hard-hitting veteran journalist, was gunned down on Oct. 3, 2022 in Las Piñas City. With a huge following, his death created a wave of concern about press freedom in the country, with many members of the diplomatic corps calling for the arrest of those behind the crime.
Hearings on the murder charges filed against suspected masterminds—former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officials Gerald Bantag and Ricardo Zulueta and others are ongoing.