ILOILO CITY – A newspaper editor here has raised concerns over threats made by Mayor Jerry Treñas of this city to file libel cases against journalists for reporting on the controversial demolition of Iloilo Central Market, a presumed important cultural property (ICP).
MAYOR Jerry Treñas of Iloilo City is visibly angry in a May 20 press conference where he threatened to file libel cases against the media for asking questions on the demolition of the Iloilo Central Market. (Arnold Almacen/CMO)
“We cannot take this sitting down as ‘law-fare’ or using the law to harass and intimidate journalists has been a staple weapon of those who cannot stand public scrutiny and demands for accountability,” said Francis Allan Angelo, the editor-in-chief of Iloilo-based Daily Guardian newspaper.
Treñas made the threats during a press conference on Monday, May 20.
A visibly angry mayor slammed his fists on the table several times and used profane words.
“I can file cases against you,” Treñas told members of the Iloilo City Hall Press Corps.
This threat was made not only once, but twice.
The mayor was reacting to comments made by Dr. Ivan Anthony Henares, commissioner for cultural heritage of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), that the Central Market demolition was being investigated as it was a “hot topic” among national cultural agencies.
The Iloilo media, including the Daily Guardian’s Joseph Marzan and Panay News, reported this and cited Henares, who was introduced during a May 18 public forum as the secretary-general of the United Nations Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization National Commission of the Philippines.
But by May 19, Henares would claim not representing UNESCO when he made the comments and UNESCO was not investigating.
Henares accused the Daily Guardian and Panay News of “irresponsible reporting.”
This was echoed by Treñas, who escalated the attack against the media.
Treñas even bragged he used to be a “litigation lawyer” and was a “fighting mood.”
“If Dr. Henares now denies his own words that were recorded during the forum after being confronted by Mayor Treñas, the onus is on him. He has perjured himself before the bar of public opinion possibly because of apprehension or embarrassment. This is not anymore the problem or fault of the Iloilo press that reported on the matter,” Angelo said.
“(But) for Mayor Treñas to berate and even threaten to sue journalists who faithfully reported Henares words is unfortunate and chilling even. It is very unbecoming for someone who projects himself to be a freedom fighter,” added Angelo.
The mayor would later issue an apology but denied threatening to file cases against the media despite the fact the press conference was streamed live via the mayor’s official Facebook page.