TODAY’S headline story (”Neri was ready to talk about ZTE“) is proof that the PDI is downgrading itself from a broadsheet newspaper to a typical tabloid.
It did not [give] any news but gossip, hypotheses, hearsay, and political intrigues. PDI should be aware that its audience is not that dumb. We have too much of Tiktik, Taliba, and Abante. Please start relaying real news. Leave the tsismis to the Buzz and Startalk.
– Russel De Vera, Baltimore, Maryland (via e-mail)
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December 13th, 2007 at 8:22 am
sus naman pareng naustin. overwhelming ng mga nagbigay ng comment dito na nagsasabing opinionated yang article na pinost mo ay maka-gloria??? isinusuka ng buong kaluluwa ko at pagkatao ko yang presidenteng yan. tsaka sa tingin ko (opinion ko lang naman), mas maraming anti-gloria ang nagpost ng opinion nila dito na nagsabing bias, malisyoso at opinionated yang article na yan kasama na ako. basahin mo naman maigi pare at i-digest yang context ng article na yan. news ba yan?? well, sa tingin ko (opinion ko lang naman uli), bagay sa tabloid ang article na yan.
December 11th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
The following is the news we are talking about in this particular topic. Many had claimed that reporter, Juliet Labog-Javellana, has engaged in opinionated and biased presentation of what went on. An opinion in a political realm is expressed usually in favor of and or against one side of the issue, pro or anti. Overwhelmingly, the readers who are pro-Gloria’s admininstration concluded that this news can not be considered as a factual, professionally written news but rather like a tabloid full of innuendos and merely as gossips. Let’s see…
Neri was ready to talk about ZTE
By Juliet Labog-Javellana
Inquirer
Last updated 00:55am (Mla time) 09/30/2007
MANILA, Philippines–Behind closed doors, Romulo Neri was “on the verge” of telling senators the rest of his explosive story on the supposed lobbying and bribery in the $329-million telecommunications deal with China’s ZTE Corp. when an administration senator and a Cabinet member intervened, several Inquirer sources said Saturday. ((Juliet stated this based on what Pimentel said, “Asked if he thought Neri would eventually talk, Pimentel said: “I think so. I have faith that he will talk.” Juliet did not make this up. She reported what Pimentel said in answer to her question.))
The former secretary general of the National Economic and Development Authority reportedly told a friend before the executive (or closed-door) session that followed the Wednesday hearing at the Senate that what he knew could “possibly” lead to the “downfall” of his boss, President Macapagal-Arroyo. ((I am sure those who are pro-Gloria’s adm. are furious about this report…because the statement was a speculation of the downfall of Gloria. Juliet was reporting what was told by Neri, a former secretary general of the NEDA, to a friend during a closed-door session. Such prediction was stated…and it happened. Juliet was just reporting about it, as news reporter ought to do.))
According to the four sources of the Inquirer, Neri was ready to answer the senators’ questions when Sen. Joker Arroyo intervened. (The sources all declined to speak on the record in deference to the gag rule governing executive sessions.) ((What this reporter was saying was something to be reported and there is nothing for the readers to do but to make their own decision, to agree or not to agree…that Neri was ready to answer the senators’ questions, when Sen. Joker Arroyo intervened. The reporter has nothing to do as to whether these four sources were merely speculating or not. Let’s be fair and not too quick to condemn a poor reporter who is only doing her job to serve her readers.))
Inside the Senators’ Lounge, Neri began to experience chills, and by one observer’s account, it might have been partly because he was afraid. ((Neri appeared to be experiencing chills, which clearly, a distinguishable behavior from one who is uppity-up and healthy. And again, the reporter repeated an observer’s account, not her own account, a speculation that the reason for Neri’s appearance of suffering from chills was that he was afraid. This is merely being reported by Juliet not as an opinion but what was observed by those around.))
The sources could not explain how Andaya got into the picture, but he was seen arriving at the Senate a few hours before the senators decided to take Neri to the executive session.
“Basta dumating na lang, umupo doon (He just arrived and sat there),” a source said.
The sources said Andaya told the senators not to press Neri to talk because the latter was sick.
“Then kinalabit na niya si Neri,” a source said.
The Inquirer phoned Andaya six times yesterday, but he did not respond. Andaya, a fellow Bicolano, was Arroyo’s protégé in the House of Representatives.
But many senators also agreed that Neri should have been sent home because he was obviously sick, another source said.
The executive session was over in less than 30 minutes.
“There was no bombshell,” a source said, adding that Neri seemed to be wanting to tell the truth but “needs a little more prodding before he talks.” ((Again, this part of the report appeared to be insinuating something that is far from the truth because they were merely speculations,…but of those who were present not of the reporter’s But this must be reported to provide the prevailing social ambience and emotional atmosphere of the situation…so that the readers can capture the speculating mood of the situation…which what the reporter was reporting about, not of her own speculation but of the people present in the meeting.))
The source expressed the belief that Neri could eventually be persuaded to spill the beans.
Asked if Neri knew something that was damaging to the President, the source said: “Why would he invoke executive privilege if it’s not damaging to the President?”
End of quoted news.
((WHAT I CAN GATHER FROM READING THE NEWS WE ARE DISCUSSING HERE WAS THAT THE NATURE OF THE EVENTS THAT JULIET LABOG-JAVELLANA WAS REPORTING ABOUT . IT WAS OF SPECULATIVE NATURE, NOT OF THE REPORTER’S OWN BUT OF THE PEOPLE, THE LEADING CHARACTERS OF THE EVENTS: PIMENTEL, ARROYO, NERI, ANDAYA, AND THOSE ‘SOURCES’ OF WHAT ONE SAID AND DID NOT SAY.
December 1st, 2007 at 11:29 am
agree din ako kay russel. parang sa tabi-tabi lang pinulot ang mga writer ngayon ng PDI. ito namang mga editors parang hindi ginagampanan ang trabaho. napakaraming instances ng “according to our sources…”. to think na nag-aral naman ang mga ito. kulang sa etiketa at mahahalata mong double meaning at double purpose kung minsan ang mga articles. argghhh pwede niyong ideny yan hangga’t gusto niyo pero alam niyo sa mga sarili niyo na may halong malisya ang mga articles niyo. please be very very very ETHICAL and OBJECTIVE!huwag haluan ng malisya at huwag mag-ala-REMATE. tsk tsk tsk
November 14th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
I have not read the news the commentators are talking about but I think I know how it was presented…no different from what I have already been getting exposed to in the Philippine media.
It is a sign of progress and healthy to receive many commentaries pro and against this kind of journalism. Some reporters have their agenda and it is for us readers to be cognizant of who are writing for the profit and favor they could earn and who are writing to solely inform the readers because it is the heart of democracy; an informed, educated, thinking citizenry. LONG LIVE THE PHILIPPINES!
October 24th, 2007 at 1:47 am
To whom it may concern;
Hi. I just invoked my constitutional and civil rights as well as the provision in my employment contract that should any term in the agreement be violated, any party can terminate it provided that a written notice is given. Thus, I issued a a written notice to SMITS, Inc. last September 21, 2007 that I am terminating the contract effective 30 days upon receipt. I started my reasons: financial, family and the contract itself along with extended work hours and unpaid OT and premiums. On my last day, I tried talking with the management humbly and in a professional manner but instead, they did not allow me to go. I was threatened that they will file a law suit against me for breach of contract since I still have 1 year to go. They also forfeited my salary for this month, 13th month pay and I was not allowed to secure clearance and COE. Amidst all, I gave all the needed documents, turned over properly and worked hard until the last minute.
I also gave my own version of a clearance form surrendering my ID, all usernames related to work and proximity card to ensure that I am leaving free from liabilities and clean. I provided my successor all the manuals and skills needed to ensure operation continuance. I also wrote letters to my superiors to ensure transparency.
With this, I wish to know if I am indeed liable to pay for damges and really not qualified to receive compensation for work rendered this month? My manager, rogelio Roy Letaba also informed me that only regular employees have the right to resign or terminate employment. Project employees have no right at all to resign or not to finish their term. It was also the same person who pressured and treatened me for a suspension and termination should I not sign to the new “contract of adhesion” last July 25, 2007 to supercede the 3-years contract that I signed last December 1, 2007 for an employment covering November 1, 2005 to October 31, 2008 to add an “indemnity” and “injunction” clauses.
To my surprise, I was also asked to pay 8800 for every day remaining on my term (12 monts) or 2.5-3 Million plus other operating losses and damages when my salary is just small and my take home is just merely enough to pay rent. There were employees before me who went out of the company and even went AWOL but were not treated the same. I took all the proper and professional actions to ensure that I leave properly. I accorded with what art. 285 of the Labor Code says as well as Section 12 of my contract that a written notice is required if a party terminates the contract due to violations of any of the term, but I was treated as if I went AWOL.
I do not have the resources to hire a lawyer and so I do hope that your office can provide me a legal advise to this. They said I will have to wait for a subpoena or demand letter in a few days to come. Honestly, I do not know what to do. I went out of the company for my principle and for financial reason. I am a father and it is my responsibility to provide my family a better future. The lack of payment for OT and premiums plus the fact that I am on 24×7 oncall/offsite/onsite support is depriving me of quality time for my family, myself and to engage in other extra income activities to make both ends meet. I worked for the company for 2 years and contributed alot from leading a team, documenting the operation and training people. I gave the company enough but a simple request that I be allowed to leave was not granted. I do hope that you can enlighten me on what I can do to resolve the issues. Thank you very much.
Ryan Ericson Canlas
SAP BASIS Administrator
09228831025
09152956337
October 8th, 2007 at 9:06 am
What is wrong with these senatongs, whom were supposed to have been elected by US - THE PEOPLE, who keep referring themselves as THIS REPRESENTATION, whose salaries are paid by US - THE PEOPLE?
Dahil sa tayo ang nagpapasweldo sa kanila, aren’t they supposed to be working on our dime? Bakit hindi natin, ANG MGA TAONGBAYAN, dapat malaman ang kanilang pinag-uusapan? Ano ang dapat nilang itago? Bakit kailangan silang magtago? Bakit tayo nila dapat pagtaguan, tayo na naghalal sa kanila upang protektahan ang interes natin, ng taong bayan, na sumumpa sila na tayo ang kanilang pagsisilbihan (ang mas nakararami imbis na ang mga Arroyo). Ano ang masama na malaman natin ang pinag-uusapan ng mga tao na inihalal natin? na sinusweldohan natin? na binibihisan natin? na binibigyan natin ng pambili ng kanilang pagkain? ng kanilang ikinabubuhay?
BAKIT WALA KAMING KARAPATAN ? WHO DO THEY THINK THEY ARE, PHILIPPINE SENATONGS?
October 8th, 2007 at 5:09 am
for all those whose comments on the Inquirer are all negatives,just don’t read it, but leave us PDI enthusiasts in peace.If you don’t like an article or a reading material, don’t read it , If you don’t want what is being shown in the television, turn it off.It is as simple as that, don’t build up the tensions and stresses unneccessarily.
October 6th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
I think this is nothing, but a RIVALRY !!!
The DIRTIEST STORIES being reported, the more readers they’ll get…
Like in POLITICS !!!
October 5th, 2007 at 2:59 am
i love PDI. been a reader since high school. but please, if PDI wants to maintain a high moral ground and continue with its advocacies, it should seriously consider their kind of reporting. even sen. joker has rights and i think he is treated unfairly with his comments merely relegated in the inside pages and the reporting was as if it was the whole truth based on the so called anonymous sources. i remember the first time i got disappointed witht the PDI was when it placed the Kris and Joey love quarrel in the front pages and justified it as news of national importance, ha ha ha. i love PDI and i do not wish to see it degenerate into a national tabloid. sayang naman ang pinundar ni Mam Egi.
October 4th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
In news reporting, usually the writer always add color and spices to their news in order to be readable. I think thats what happens to Ms Juliet Javellana. That kind of writing is irresponsible. Even the major news media in the planet always use “… in condition of anonymity”. Wow. Just like saying something to a reporter like “My father is a killer and please don’t tell the public that I told you so because I am his son and he might kill me”. If it’s really true then why is Ms Javellana is afraid of telling the public of who really told her? Or just because it did not really happen at all? I’d rather prefer be hanged for doing something right than lying in order to sell something like her invented stories.
October 4th, 2007 at 8:26 am
Arroyo the Joker seems to be fuming because his actuations in the executive session with Neri and some senators were revealed by a PDI reporter Juliet Javellana. A funny point is that the Joker denied that his actions prevented Neri from spilling the beans (”complete falsehood” he said) while on the same breath he wants the reporter investigated for the breach in the supposed secrecy of the executive session.
Indeed a great joke from the Joker. He says it’s all “falsehood” but at the same time he says there is a breach. Therefore one can conclude that there is indeed truth in the matter as he wants an investigation of the breach of secrecy otherwise he would simply have dismissed it since according to him it’s all a “complete falsehood” anyway. Given this situation, if there is truth in the matter therefore the one who is actually telling falsehood or lies is Arroyo the Joker himself!
Tsk, tsk it is unfortunate that the Joker has become a minion for cover-ups along with the other individual who not only is a partner in attempting cover-ups in the Senate but is also a bigot as well. Well what can we do, in every court there must be a jester or Joker, and the Arroyos being in power should inevitably have an Arroyo the Joker as well. How very apt indeed.
Many members of the PDI are doing a good job showing the true colors of these few chameleons in Senate who wants every investigation that may include the possible involvement of their beloved leader be blocked when the total truth is about anomalies are about to be revealed.
Keep the banner flying PDI !
Kaya sabi na nga nila … aray, aray, aray, mabibisto na … ideklara ang E.O. 464 at pagalawin ang mga galamay sa Senado.
October 3rd, 2007 at 5:14 pm
I’ve been reading PDI ever since I was in high school and I liked the way they brought the news and interest stories that no other newspapers ever did.
However I think the way the Neri case was handled by PDI appeared to be more of profit-driven - for it to win more readers. You just contributed to making the case more complicated and harder to resolve. If truth was really your intention then this was not the way to get it. Journalists do have to protect their sources but you’re doing it now at the expense of breaking another legal body’s rules. Did the writer ever think of that?
October 3rd, 2007 at 9:14 am
Keep up the good work PDI, the pressure brought by your articles are cracking the corrupt politicians who are hiding via the manipulation of the letter law by protecting themselves using a thin plastic facade of “legality”.
Uma-aray na sila, keep on the pressure PDI !
October 3rd, 2007 at 7:57 am
Can Inquirer post resumes or brief background of their journalists / writers ( if that is legal) , , From there , we can verify if we need to read ones article.
October 3rd, 2007 at 7:52 am
I AM FOR THE TRUTH…IBANDERA ANG KATOTOHANAN…BY ANY MEANS.
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Magaling na rin magtago ang mga tusong politiko kasi…kaya kung hindi katok-katukin ng mga “tabloidish” style of pagbubunyag, di magka-crack e. Okay din naman na medyo tsismis…wala kasing makuhang detalye ang mga writers when snooping as these people are too careful. They are aware that once the media got wind of the story, it will spare nothing.
Even TV news reporting are embellished with showbiz now to get the attention of the masa. No doubt, Inquirer does the same.
Aminin na natin, we Filipinos are less of a reader talaga. Just observe which section get to be read first… or look at the Inquirer.net which part get the most visit.
October 2nd, 2007 at 12:33 pm
very true, now i learned how to pick which news or headlines are worth reading. with enormous amount of news publish at the PDI website everyday, in my opinion only 3 -5 articles are worth reading even the editorial and opinion articles written by biased opinion writers doesn’t deserve to be read. another thing i observed too the article titles are quite confusing and has double meanings.
October 2nd, 2007 at 10:07 am
I agree. I used to be an avid reader of PDI since the days of EDSA II. Now, I’m not sure anymore. Neri, in his own words during the senate hearing said that he used his own judgement in revealing topics of his conversation with the President. He then followed by saying that there was no high crime committed and there was no evidence to that effect, otherwise he would have said so. And these were his own words. People just failed to listen because of selective listening. I guess what the senators and the PDI wanted to hear was for Neri to pin down PGMA which did not happen.
October 2nd, 2007 at 3:06 am
PDI editorial section is now in the frontpage!
October 2nd, 2007 at 2:17 am
August 2007 Update: Manmade Catastrophic Global Warming Not True.
In order to be an intelligent reader you must have a basic knowledge. Please do your own homework, a starting point http://www.InteliOrg.com/
October 2nd, 2007 at 12:34 am
honestly i did not read the article. i just watch the news in a delayed telecast here in the US and so far what i know is not much of the details.
when i visit this website i immediately go to this column and read the blog and comments. this has become a routine for me. i admire how the comment writers expressed their thoughts and ideas. i am overwhelmed to know that there are still people who care for the philippines. even a short expression of opinion really matters.
this comment is not related to the blog i just want to express myself. i hope you don’t mind.
October 1st, 2007 at 11:47 pm
Bilang isa sa iginagalang na pahayagan sa bansa, ako ay sumasang ayon na sana ay palaging maging fair at balanced ang inyong mga lathalain. may mga pagkakataon na ginagawang sensationalized ang mga issues
October 1st, 2007 at 5:06 pm
I fully agree with Russel de Vera that the PDI is downgrading itself into a tabloid with its headline story “Neri about to talk ZTE’. As a highly respected broadsheet newspaper please based your reporting on facts and not on mere speculations and gossip. It’s insulting to the readers.
October 1st, 2007 at 10:17 am
[...] Vox Populi : Philippine Daily Inquirer, the national tabloid [...]
October 1st, 2007 at 10:06 am
Since the Philippines is known for corruption among the lowest to the highest government officials, it’s tough not to tinge opinions with personal bias against them. Only when these corrupt people are brought to justice and exposed to the world can the Philippines be great again and the Filipinos liberated from being the pariah of Southeast Asia.
October 1st, 2007 at 8:30 am
Some people like Russel wants it staid, predictable and a “no commentary” type of newspaper. The administration propagandist likewise want it “legalistic” with no analysis and opinions since that would go against the grain of their winning in legalistic encounters through using the “letter of the law” instead of standing up for the “spirit of the law”.
Example: When the administration is in a corner and those in the top echelon starts becoming exposed in corruption or severe mismanagement, they declare E.O. 464.
In news terms, the administration propagandist would want the news hailed as “The Palace Defends itself from Accusations of Corruption Righteously by virtue of the Executive Order 464 to Defend the Rule of Law”.
On the other hand, on a second version of the news, those who want corruption exposed would like the headlines read “Palace Hides behind E.O. 464 to Avoid Scrutiny of Questionable Transactions.”
You could well guess that those who are for cover-ups and wants to protect the guilty ones would like the first version, while those who wish corruption to be exposed and transparency to be implemented would wish to have the second version of a news headline.
On my part, I would belong to those who wish corruption exposed and transparency in governance implemented hence I choose a headline version of “Palace Hides behind E.O. 464 to Avoid Scrutiny of Questionable Transactions.”
Now, the real question here is which side of the fence does Russel really belong?
October 1st, 2007 at 6:56 am
Neri never intended to go beyond what he had already disclosed at the senate hearing even when Pimentel threatened him with contempt. From the start he was steadfast that he would not say a word more because of executive privilege. What the PDI reported was only its writer’s own assumption that Neri was about to talk. That’s not factual news reporting and since Neri denied it then that report is a lie. It’s simply that Joker Arroyo suggested Neri should have a lawyer to guide him should he decide to make a disclosure and the PDI writer gave it a different spin obviously to sensationalize and make the issues suspenseful.
October 1st, 2007 at 3:52 am
Rubbish interpretation, making mountain out of molehill! Only the defenders of the scammers will be delighted to read this entry of Mr. de Vera. All the rest will continue to make PDI number 1. If you hate sound advocacy for people and country read Malu Fernandez instead.
October 1st, 2007 at 2:14 am
Amen to that.
Many times in the past, opinions, personal views, speculations are incorporated into its reporting obviously in an attempt to shape public opnion on political events. They peddle as truths (in screaming headlines) the stories from their usual anonymous sources.
September 30th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
russel de vera is correct….inquirer please use your paper with more journalistic etiquette and professionalism….your report about “Neri ready to talk” is all about “he says,accd’g to sources” etc…gosh are we reading kislap magazine or remate?your report is meant to sow rebellion and confusion….is this the way to sell and survive? its terrible!!!
September 30th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
[...] Vox Populi : Philippine Daily Inquirer, the national tabloid [...]