PLUNDERWATCH
Plunder Watch Slams Second SC Decision Against Live Coverage of Erap Trial
Sept. 14, 2001

PLUNDER WATCH today assailed the Supreme Court’s second ruling against live media coverage of the Estrada trials, dubbing the decision as “a clear case of prior restraint against our people’s right to know” and “shows a low regard for the people’s capacity to appreciate the facts, discern the truth and distinguish right from wrong.”

Further, Plunder Watch said, “The Supreme Court has issued a clearly outdated and unfounded opinion which consigns the product of mass media coverage to museums and not in the service of truth and the public demanding it.”

“We are clearly disappointed,” said Plunder Watch convenor Dr. Carolina Pagaduan Araullo as she vowed that the group will back the Department of Justice in its second motion for consideration.

Araullo pointed at yesterday’s pre-trial hearing as an example of the importance of live media coverage in the prosecution of Estrada and his co-accused.

“Had there been live coverage yesterday, the people would have witnessed the open defiance and arrogance of Atty. Rene Saguisag that warranted his expulsion from the courtroom. This was in the wake of clearly dilatory moves by the defense lawyers which understandably taxed the patience of the justices. However, Saguisag made it appear to the unwitting public that such was an instance of oppression by a biased court. That charge is completely false,” said Araullo.

Plunder Watch attests to previous attempts by the defense lawyers to intimidate and infuriate the justices hearing the Estrada plunder case.

Araullo added: “Such outrageous behavior is designed to provoke the justices and may well be used by the defense lawyers to boost their motion for inhibition of Justice Badoy and two other associate juctices of the 3rd division. Without live media coverage the majority of the people were not afforded the oppurtunity to watch what happened and judge for themselves.