Body Count.

Reliable information from a Western diplomat based in Manila confirmed my suspicion that Media, NGOs and left-wing organizations are sensationalizing the killings of journalists and militants in the country. Inside information from National Union of Journalists in the Philippines internally agree that only 40% of the mediamen killed since PGMA rose into office were actually related to their work. The embassy official figures are even lower citing only 25% of media persons slain was actually related. A journalist who was slain in Iloilo 2 years ago was actually related to personal vendetta for his alleged philandering. I should know, it is an open secret in the city.

On the issue of militant killings, Teddy Casiño might as well shedding crocodile tears during the ambush of former NPA operative turned politician Sotero Llamas. To the eyes of the Pro-Sison, Llamas was a turncoat. Llamas ran under Ping Lacson- a notorious torturer, during the previous election and lost. The same diplomat also mentioned that some are actually internal purges within the party. Which is actually true. Communist Party undertook a horrific series of purges in the aftermath of EDSA Revolution well into the early '90s called Kampanyang Ahos (Garlic Campaign).

(from the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines Website- http://nujp.org)

The Journalist’s Code of Ethics

I. I shall scrupulously report and interpret the news, taking care not to suppress essential facts nor to distort the truth by omission or improper emphasis. I recognize the duty to air the other side and the duty to correct substantive errors promptly.

II. I shall not violate confidential information on material given me in the exercise of my calling.

III. I shall resort only to fair and honest methods in my effort to obtain news, photographs and/or documents, and shall properly identify myself as a representative of the press when obtaining any personal interview intended for publication.

IV. I shall refrain from writing reports that will adversely affect a private reputation unless the public interest justifies it. At the same time, I shall fight vigorously for public access to information.

V. I shall not let personal motives or interests influence me in the performance of my duties, nor shall I accept or offer any present, gift or other consideration of a nature that may cast doubt on my professional integrity.

VI. I shall not commit any act of plagiarism.

VII. I shall not, in any manner, ridicule, cast aspersions on, or degrade any person by reason of sex, creed, religious belief, political conviction, cultural and ethnic origin.

VIII. I shall presume persons accused of crime of being innocent until proven otherwise. I shall exercise caution in publishing names of minors and women involved in criminal cases so that they may not unjustly lose their standing in society.

IX. I shall not take unfair advantage of a fellow journalist.

X. I shall accept only such tasks as are compatible with the integrity and dignity of my profession, invoking the “conscience clause” when duties imposed on me conflict with the voice of my conscience.

XI. I shall conduct myself in public or while performing my duties as journalist in such manner as to maintain the dignity of my profession. When in doubt, decency should be my watchword.

(This Journalist’s Code of Ethics was unanimously adopted during the founding congress of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines on July 30, 1988. NUJP members must agree to this covenant, violation of which could mean expulsion from the union. The NUJP’s by-laws provide an arbitration mechanism to try violations of this code.)

What a laugh. From a media who sensationalizes, unfair and biased reporting, that encouraged envelopmental journalism, class conflicts, and peddler of false hopes. Shame!