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newspapers Except a few instances, coverage Phrilippine for the by of the political crisiswas as expected.
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ANEWSPAPER is a businessenterprise, and in some casespublishedby people with a political agenda.In the presscoverageofthe political crisisof2000-2001, including the trial of former PresidentJosephEstrada, political and economic the interestsof the country's major newspapers found expressionin their often obvious biases. A monitor of the Metro Manilabased broadsheets,political tabloid and a Manila tabtwo of the widest-circulated loids showedthat as far as the political crisis was concerned, the newspapers could be generally classified into two (l) predictablecategories: thosethat favored the Estradaadministration, and (2) those that either were opposed to the administration, favored the opposition, or both. were The biasesof the newspapers obvious in the way they repoftedon the caseitself, the membersof the Prosecution Teamandthe DefensePanel, testhe timonies of the witnessesand the perceived pro- and anti-Estradasenatorjudges.The individual newspapers' editorials and columns were even more clearly pro- or anti-Estrada, this was but as it should be, the opinion pagesbeing the proper venuefor the expression ofa newspaper's and its columnists'views. News as comment The Philippine Daily Inquirer had the most extensivecoverageof the impeachment trial. From November until before Estradafinally steppeddowi as Presidentof the Philippines,almost all the news storieson its front pageaswell as its insidepagesincluding its lifestyle section were devoted to the impeachment caseagainstEstradaor a relatedaspect ofthe political crisis. In general,the Inquirer coveragetendedto favor the then growing Estrada Resign Movement, although there were instanceswhen its news storieswere sympatheticto Estrada. Both Today and the Philippine Slar projected an anti-Estradastance, although there were instanceswhen Zoday was an advocate of obviously proadministration issues.But Today tended to emphasize details that encouraged readersto believe that a conviction was in the making. Its editorialsalso consistently targeted the incompetenceof the prosecutionlawyers, particularly after the first few days of the trial. In contrast,the Slar was clearly antiOn administration. an almostdaily basis its news reporting was focused on reporting eventsfrom an angleunfavorable to Eshada, allies and his lawyers. his BusinessWorldlived up to its reputation ofbalanced and fair reporting.A its tonecharacterized sober; businesslike trial. coverage the impeachment of The Manila TimesandManilaBulletin inttially gave the impeachment trial less prominence.Both occasionallyresorted to downplaying trial developments. In almost all its impeachmentrelated reports, both the pro- and antiEstradasideswere reported inthe Times as well as Malaya, but significantspace was provided for reportson statements favoring Estrada. The Manila Srandard, on the other hand, had the tendencyto dramatizethe reporling of the impeachmenttrial. The Tribunewasengaged almostfuIlas time in bashing such personalities llocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson,CardinalSin, former President CorazonAquino, and others identified opposition.[t also with the anti-Estrada implied on an almostdaily basisthat the impeachmentcase was weak, and that an acquittalwas inevitable.While implying that the House prosecutors'case was weak, the Tribune at the sametime tookpainsto projecttheimageof aPresident eagerto go through the Constitut i o n a lp r o c e s so c l e a rh i s n a m e . t The Courier, on the other hand, in could best be described one sentence in its coverageofthe political crisis up to the time Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took over as Presidentofthe Reoublic. ( I t l i v e du p t o i t st r a d i t i o na st h eg o v e m ment sequestered TimesJour"nal) of being pro- whatever administrationis in power,andpro-whoever'sPresident, regardlessof what the issuesare. The Courier's bias for the administration was very obvious. The paper, mainly through its editorials and opinion pieces.never missedany opportunity to attack anyone and any group in

THE JOSEPH ESTRADA IMPEACHMENT TRIAL: What began in the SenateHall was concluded in the streets. Top to bottom: (1)The impeachment tribunal (2) SenatePresident Aquilino Pimenteland Chief Justice Hilario Davide (3) the prosecutors (4) the defense panel (5) the "no" vote ofeleven senators triggered People Power II. A11photos by Ltro Oc,tupo unless stated otherwise.

+ PmrpprnrlounMl|sil [IUttw March2001

Monitot
the broad Estrada Resign Movement. Whether it was the Makati Business Club, Manila Archbishop Jaime CardiCorazonAquino nal Sin, former presidents and Fidel Ramosand then Vice President Macapagal-Arroyo,among others, the Courier had only the most negativeobservationsand comments.Its editorial cartoonswere the samein their ridicule of those demanding that Estradaresign, as well as those involved in his prosecution, while depicting Estradaas the true championof the poor victimized by the evil plansof the political opposition. The Courier also played up Estrada'sclaim that the Makati elite was conniving with Aquino et. al. to bring his pro-poor governmentdown. It also continuously hit Cardinal Sin and the Church for what it describedas Church in intervention stateaffairs. The Courier played down developments damaging to Estrada by printing stories on them on the lower part of the page, or by burying damagingdetailsin the middle of the news story. The Courier however, actually did bebetter than some crony newspapers causeit cared to print news potentially damaging to Estradaalthough watered down. Servilejournalism The editorials and columns of the Courier included some of the most obvious examplesof servilejournalism to emergefrom the political crisis. Before and during the impeachmenttrial, the Courier was unabashedlypro-Estrada. Most of its columniststook it upon themselvesto wage a daily battle against Estrada'scritics. But once Estradawas booted out of office, the editorialsand columns instantly became proMacapagal-Arroyo. The threetabloidsmonitoredexhibin ited different approaches communicatLike 99 ing their biasesto their readers. percentof the tabloids,Abante's"news" storieswere studiesin sensationalism. But it gave reports negative to Estrada orominence. The People's Journal, the tabloid. Impeaching Estrada The House of Representativesfisister-publicationof the Courier, also on nally endorsed November 13, 2000 the consistently criticized Cardinal Sin, articles of impeachmentto the Senate. Aquino, Ramos,Macapagal-Arroyo, the The endorsement by then House Makati businessmenand the street proSpeakerManuel Villar (Las Piflas)was testers.The paper was unabashedlypart the biggestnews of the day,not only for of the state apparatusto discredit the its impact. but also becausewhen the critics ofousted PresidentEstrada.The articleswere filed in the House,not too People'sJournal inevitably refened to many were optimistic aboutits prospects. those critics as palt of "the noisy micaseto It was alsothe first impeachment nority." On the other hand, it referred to in Estrada's supporters-the peopleshout- reachthe Senate the Philippines,and the first in Asia. ing for him to remain-as the "true As big as the news was, it was not people." The Peoole's Journal was a consis- given much prominencein some of the newspapers.The People's Journal, for tent advocaieofthe "class divide" preexample, did not caffy a full report on tense of the ousted President and his Ernesto Maceda. In sev- the House endorsementof the articles spokesperson Instead, to of impeachment the Senate. eral of its editorials,it saidthat therewas a dark and sinisterconspiracyto unseat it publisheda profile ofthe newly-elected Speaker of the House, Arnulfo Estrada, echoing the statements of (Camarines Sur,LAMP), and Estrada's spokesman,his allies, and Fuentebella in the samestory provided a two-paraEstradahimself. done Though perceivedto be anti-Estrada, graphmentionof the endorsement, Villar. "in haste"by unseated Speaker the "serious tabloid" Pinoy Times reThe Times placed its repoft on the portedthe political crisis fairly, from beevent ("House indicts Erap, sendsimfore and during the impeachmenttrial peachmentarticlesto upper Chamberfor PowerII. Although until it led to People fold the next trial") abovethe front-page Pinoy Times expectedly covered antiday, but this story was overshadowed Estradaprotestsextensively and followed leads negative to Estrada ear- by the banner headline"Senateousts Drilon." nestly, it provided enough space for The StandardSinclination towards Estrada's rebuttals and in fact placed them in comparably attractive space, r e p o r t i n g t h e h u m a n d r a m a w i t h i n eventswas evident in its November 14 such as the front page. Although its opinion pages were banner story where it describedin the full of anti-Estrada voices, Pinoy Times secondparagraphhow opposition lawcontinuedto use the servicesof Rene m a k e r s " r a i s e d c l e n c h e d f i s t s a n d 'Erap Resign"' while Villar was political ally and defender shouted Saguisag, afticles. readingthe impeachment of then PresidentEstrada,as a colum(From Abante also highlighted the drama nist. Its "Mula sa Mambabasa" the Readers) section also published in the event.In its bannerstory "Lnpeach lettersboth severelycritical ofand laud- na!" it describedhow the people in the House sessionhall as well as the galing Pinoy Times. Saguisagwas incilery reactedto Villar's suddenaction. dentally not alone in his criticism of the Church's "meddling" in political Battle of rallies affairs. Frankie Evanselista. one of One of the most evident battle Pinoy Times' columnists, was a?rtiand Estrada, but at the same time against groundsbetweenthe administration the opposition was in the number of the Catholic Church's taking a prominent stand on the political crisis and rallyists and rallies stagedpro or con. as Again, in this areaof coverage in othEstrada's impeachment.

REUrtw March2001 5 PlnpprulounilAusil

Monitor
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ers, it was evident on whose side the paperswere leaning. In its issueson November 15 and during PeoplePowerII theInquirer emphasizedthat the demonstrations were not taking place only in Metro Manila, but were happeningall over the Philippines. This was merely factual,and was not reportedby the pro-Estrada papers. On the otherhand,althoughtheInquirer is perceivedto be anti-Estrada, this did not prevent it from giving prominent play to the one-million strong Luneta prayer rally organized by Malacafiang, and the huge crowd Estradawas able to gather.in Pangasinan one ofhis proin vlnclal sortles. Today reported on the various group'srallies,promotingthe antiswhile slammingthe pro-Estrada rallies("Sin to leadDecember rally," December Its 7 2). suppoft for the anti-Estrada rallies was evidentin its photo placements.Photos of anti-Estrada rallies usually appeared on the front pagewhile thoseof the pros, whetherlargeor small, usuallyappeared in the inside pages or the back page, which was the caseon January12. The Star publishedan article, "Palace: We're not fomenting'classwar"' which soughtto prove that not all of the poor are pro-Estrada,and that in fact, anti-Estradasentimentswere ramDant n o t o n l y a m o n g h ee c o n o m i c n d i n t e l t a lectual elite, but also among the poor. ln covering the protest actions versus Estrada,BusinessWorld avoided reporting statements from official sources meant to dissuadepeople from joining demonstrations, did somepro-adminas istration newspapers. reporled what It actually transpired,or what the plans for future demonstrationswere, as outlined by protest organizers. The Standard3coverageofthe protestrallies,while relativelyextensive and given much spacethroughpictures,was mostlynegative. November14,along On with a story identiSring the sites for the holding of the National Day of Protest was a prominently placed article on the

warningfromthe Civil ServiceCommis- people on the law on impeachmentas sion to governmentworkers not to at- well as courl procedures. it alsoproBut tend protestsduring working hours. vided readersthe contextualinformation The next day, the Standard reported sooftenmissingin mostPhilippine newsthat the generalstrike had "failed to para- papers'news repofts even on important lyze transport and business in Metro events. 'lrnpeach Manila" ("Strike endswith mixed results, Bulaga!' was alsoa Pinoy November 15 p. 2). The decision of Timesregularsectionwhile the impeachK o m p i l ' s " P e o p l e ' s C o u r t d e c l a r i n g ment trial lasted. This section focused Estradaguilty" was relegatedto the inon the lighter side ofthe trial. It featured sidepagesto give way to the story minia daily dose of stories about the immizing the impactofthe protests pre- peachmentincluding humorous epithe vious day. sodes, and evenhad a listing ofthe bestThe Courier played down the dem- and worst-dressedsenator-judgesand o n s t r a t i o n sa n d o t h e r o r o t e s t s . a n d lawyers. The sectioneven took note of sometimes not evenriporl thatthey the major protagonists' hair styles. did had happened. This was the casein its On the first day of the trial, theJourNovember30 issue.On that day,it did nal tried to project a positive image for not run any story aboutthe big rally that Estrada. The Journal's bannerheadline happenedthe day before along Ayala read,"Erap trust rating movesup to 410%" A v e n u e w h e r e b u s i n e s s m e ns h a r e d (December In its editorialthe follow7). lunch with workers,peasants and urban ing day, the Journal told its readers that poor to dramatize their common disgust "if US tradition and practicewere to be with Estrada.It just published a photo followed, the membersofthe Philippine of some anti-Estradarallyists, and an- Senateshould be expectedto vote for other photo of anti-Macapagal-Arroyo the acquittal or conviction of President rallyists.As if their editorshad consulted Estradaalong party lines...no ifs and with those of the Courier.the Peoole's buts,just voting alongparty lines." (DeJournal did the same. cember8, p. 4) This was of coursea misleadingcomparison. senators not US did Trial by newspaper vote strictly along party lines during the Pinoy Times had a team of lawyers impeachmentof former PresidentBill who commented daily on what was hap- Clinton in 1999.Clintonwas in fact acpening in the trial. It also publishedar- q u i t t e d b e c a u s e s o m e R e p u b l i c a n s ticles about what the people should be crossedparty lines to vote in his favor. vigilant about,a glossaryof legal terms, The Tribunewas not be outdone.It an assessment the evidenceso far gave special emphasisto a Pulse Asia of presented, so ordinarypeoplewould etc. survey that showed a majority (54 perunderstand what had beenpresented and cent of the respondents) the populaof what was being debatedin court. These tion disagreeing with the call for Estrada were under a daily sectioncalled 'Ang to resign. The reportalsomademuch of Paglilitis Ang kauna-unahanglider na the Pulse Asia claim that opposition na-impeachsa Asia' ("The Trial: The Ieaders'trust ratings had plunged. Consistentwith the chorus among first leader impeachedin Asia." subhead in italics). It also published storieson pro-Estrada papers that the impeachthe people involved in the trial such as ment casewas weak, the paper's DepresidingJusticeHilario Davide Jr.,the cember'7,2000 editorial insisted,"The senators,the prosecutors and the de- prosecutionat this stageof the game has fenselawyers so the people would know a weak case against PresidentEstrada where thesepeople were coming from. whom the Houseimpeached somethree This section was an attempt to educate weeksago." (December7, p.4)

o Prnppmlounmt|sil BlUttW March2001

The paper also went out of its way to attempt to discredit SenatorsFranklin Drilon and Teofisto Guingona in its December8 issue.The Tribunebannerstory turned into a commentary disguised as news when it criticized the two senatorjudges for helping former President Aquino and then Vice President Macapagal-Arroyo through the shriekblocking mob ofpro-Estradasupporters ing their way to the Senategrounds. Discrediting the opposition The next day the Tribune followed that up with a news story that actually urged the "lawyers ofPresident Estrada" to "move for the disqualification of (GuingonaandDrilon) lrom sittingasjurors in the impeachmenttrial following their decisionto ensurethat the so-called Jericho marchers would be able to get building. . .." ("Solons nearerthe Senate decry Drilon's intervention,"p. 1) On December10,the third day of the impeachmenttrial, the front page of the Times didn't publish any news story about the trial at all, its banner story ofpublic rebeing on the disappearance lations man Bubby Dacer. Instead of a story on what had happenedat the trial the previous day, the Timeshad a report on National Security Adviser Alexander Aguirre's having identified "the supposed financier of the 'jueteng gate' scandal..." The December 9 editorial of Today noted the disappointing performance of the prosecution, targeting in particular Reps.SergioApostol and Roan Libarios. and It calledthem oidiots,"'Tweedledum Tweedledee,""Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy" and "fools" and predicted that "althe rate thosetwo idiots in the prosecution havebeengoing, we shouldhave an acquittal on the merits by early next week." The December 12 Today editorial "Dangerous defense" again targeted Apostol and Libarios for doing a lousy job, calling it "Erap-like." It targetedthe prosecution again the next day, but this time declared House prosecutor Raul Gonzalesunprepared. also receivedunfaThe prosecutors vorable publicity from the Manlla Standard, which reported on the private prosecutors' involvement in the impeachment trial. SimeonMarcelo, a private prosecutor,had been introduced by the House prosecution panel into the proceedings he could questionIlocos so Sur Governor and jueteng pay-offs whistle-blower Singson. The next day, in the Standardbanner story "Prosecutors change law-

yers," one of the subheads was "11 man', panel ill-prepared?" while the lead was a question: "Was it an outright admission by the prosecution that it was ill-prepared to impeach PresidentEstrada?" The Standard rcport did not mention that Marcelo had been asked to question Singson becausethe latter had requestedthat he be examined in Filipino rather than in the English language.

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For its part, the Bulletin looked like a government propagandapaper rather than a privately-owned broadsheetduring the first few days of the impeachment trial with thesebannerheadlines: ' Estradasignspeacepact todaY with rebelgroups(December10) ' Estrada saves all death convicts from lethal injections (Del1) cember ' Sin hails Erap decision on deathpenalty(December13) ' gov't pay hike in P715-B 5%o nat'l budget(Decemberl4) Surprisingly, the tabloid Abante's news treatment of the involvement of private prosecutorswas more objective. It reported that the congressmen-prosecutors were studying the possibility of changingthe compositionof the 11-person panel. While the report took notice of the perceived unsatisfactory perforit mance of the prosecutors, did not put too much emphasis it. on BusinessWorld set aside eight (8) pages every day for the unofficial transcripts of the hearings. This effortachieved at great cost to the newspaper-was an exemplaryexampleof public service by BusinessWorld in lhe The Filipino-lancourseofits coverage. guage broadsheet Kabayan was the only other newspaper to provide the sameservlce. In the course of the impeachment trial, the Inquirer bannercdstories damaging to the President such as the testimonies of witnesses,the evidence pre-

sented, etc. The Inquirer also printed an insightful daily analysis by Raul Palabrica, its resident lawyer and Readers' Advocate, on what had transpired at the impeachmentcourt the day before. The Palabricaanalysisavoided legalese, and insteadexplainedin simple language what had happened,evaluated the evidence presented,and discussedthe value of the witnesses' testimonies, among others. The Inquirer also published special articles which dealt more comprehensively with the issues at hand. For example, "Making the impeachmentcase" (Dec. 10, p.A8), an "In Depth" article, explainedhow the impeachmentprocess worked. On January2 1, theInquirer published another In Depth afiicle, "Understandingmilitary interventionin politics" (p A8). The Courier, unlike the other newspapers,did not publish any specialsection, exceptfor a page ofphotos called "Photo Parade" which came out almost daily. "Photo Parade" included photographs ofboth the anti- and pro-Estrada at rallyists, as well as scenes the trial.

Monitot

Opening the envelope The opening of the first envelope from the Equitable-PClBank was one of, if not the most significant, event in the December 20 trial session. But the Journalb next day report on this development was relegatedto the second page, with the report emphasizing that the contentsofthe envelopehad not yet been acceptedas evidence. On the sameday the Tribune banner took a different tack altogether,suggesting that not all was well among the House prosecutors.("Impeach court opens Equitable envelope Prosecutors in cry dissatisfied, conspiracy"subhead 21 italics.December ) Both the Bulletin and Malaya reported on the opening ofthe envelope. that The Bulletin, however, emphasized "the defensepanel did not want to create fears or suspicionsthat they want to hide the truth from the public." On the other hand, two articles of the 'Velarde' docuStar read,"Prosecutors: ments tampered Account endorsed by in GZG" (subhead italics) and "Trust in Senate impartiality failing," both of which expressedthe sentiments of the prosecution-and, as it became apparent later, of the public- that the administration was trying to suppressvital evidence against Estrada. The only mention of the opening of the envelope inlhe Timeswas at the end ofthe main article, "Erap security tight-

March20017 PmpprulounililFilInflEul

Monitor

ened." The only other mention of the contents of the envelope was in the article "Penmanshippro due at Erap trial." The Times editorial cartoon that day, however, showed the prosecutioneagerly unveiling the Velardeor "Valhalla" bank accounts, which under closeexamination, were symbolized by what looked like a huge peso sign.

while Roco was taking indirect exception to her earlier statements while questioning Banal. It later becameclear that the three had not even stood up and had merely tried to get a better view of the proceedings peeringaroundan interby veningpillar. The inaccurate and probably malicious use of the word was oointed out in the Manila Timescolumnof Fredde la "Heckling andbody lanEjection ofthe three spectators Rosa (Observer, P/R noted a suspiciouslydeliberate gtage," January 12). Dela Rosa said, inaccuracy in Malaya s, Ihe Times' and "It's incorrectto saythe trio heckledMrs. Today'suse of the word "hecklers." On Santiago.To heckleis to embarrass and January4, Senator-Judge Miriam Defenannoy someoneby questions,gibes or sor-Santiago reactedviolently to three objections,to badger with mocking or spectators whom sheclaimed had looked derisiveremarks." at her "provocatively" while SenatorTodayhadthe arlicle "Angry Miriam pros- gets court to throw out 3." However, it JudgeRaul Roco was questioning ecution witness Jasmine Banal. The defended the actions of Santiagoparpaid considerable ticularly in its editorial"Miriam curious Manila newspapers

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the strength of that case. Samegoes for JuanPonceEnrile." On the other hand, almost all the columnists of theInquirer were highly critical of Santiago's behavior in court. ConradoDe Quiros, for example, printed some disparagingcomments about Santiagohe had receivedvia email. The Tribuneiseditorial of January6, however, said that Santiago was "definitely right in demanding the expulsion of (the) threeindividuals...." As could be expected, when Santiago imperiously demandedthe expulsion from the impeachmentcourt of the three spectators,the Standard gave the story prominent page-one treatment. The story "Court evicts 3 on Miriam's plea" was accompanied a big photograph by of the three sDectators. The Standards militants known dislike of anti-Estrada showedin the story "Militants sidewith socialitesagainstMiriam" when it described as "improbable during normal times" the militant groups' reaction to Santiago'stantrums. Abante was not silent on Santiago's latest fit. Abante Tonite reported in "'Nakakapraningsi Miriam" that an increasingnumber of peoplewere getting annoyed over the senator'shigh-handeqness. Witnessesand evidence As it covered the testimonies and to evidencepresented the impeachment trial, BusinessWorld continually monitoredthe implicationsofthe political crisis on the country's economy and the businesssector.The stateof the Philippine peso,for examplewas a regular side bar of its coverage:"Peso seen atP49P50 as impeachtrial goeson" (December 12,p. 1);"Market meltdownPesohits all-time trade low of P52 Stock mart index falls 46.01 points " (January 3, 2001 bannerstory). ln general, BusinessWorldusedas its story angles the side of the witnesses for the prosecution:After Emma Lim testified, its banner story was "Singson secretary claims bringing money to Erap" (December12).When Singsontestified again, BusinessWorld reported, "Singson says Estrada got 'jueteng money"' (December 14, banner story). The samewas true in the caseof Equitable-PCl Bank Senior Vice President ClarissaOcampo's("Prosecutionwitness bares attempt to hide Velarde account," January 3, page 1), former Philippine Stock Exchangecomplianceand surveillance group chief Ruben Almadro's ("'Erap knew of bribe attempt in BW case,"'January bannerstory),former 10,

attention to this story, particularly becausethe three who were eiectedfrom gallery- Dante theSenate Jimenez" chair ofthe VolunteersAgainstCrime and Corruption (VACC), RosannaFores, and BettinaAboitz- wereorominent members of society. The Times headlineread,"Hecklers bared from trial" and in its editorial "The caseof the heckled senator,"while 7oday usedthe sameword in its editorial. Malaya in a news article also referred to the "hecklers".Thesepapers'use ofthe word "heckler" would suggestthat to heckle was to look at someone"orovocatively" as Santiagoalleged. ltrebstert I,{ew 20'h Centuty Unabridged Dictionary,however,definesthe word "heckle" as "to annoy or confuse (a speaker)by interrupting with questions or taunts." None of the three observershad heckled Santiago. Santiagodescribedtheir supposedly objectionable acts as standing up to peer at her "provocatively"

and correct." It claimedthat "Roco... stressedhis point a bit too much as though provoking his colleague or, as Santiagobelieved,egging [on] the gallery to make fun of her." "Santiagowas right to complainand to demandredrcss from the Chief Justice." The Today editorial also claimed that the three spectatorswho were ejected from the gallery "...are just the type to have campaigned her doomedpresifor dential bid in 1992.. ." andthat "Santiago was actually being kind just asking for their exclusionfrom the augustchamber." The editorial went even further by praising not only Santiago, also Senatorbut JudgeJuanPonceEnrile: "...it is just the likes of Santiago-after raking the witnesses of the prosecution over the coals who will vote to convict the President his lawyersnonetheless if fail to weakenthe powerful caseof his guilt. By the sametoken, she will vote to acquit if the prosecution fails to sustain

a PmpprulounflAl|sit ffutIW March2001

Finance Secretary Edgardo Espiritu's ("Estrada made money from BW, court told," January12-13,bannerstory) and former Securities Exchange and Commission Chair PefectoYasay'stestimonies ("Former SEC chief bares'bribe' offers byEstrada,Tan," January16,p.1). The only time thalthe BusinessWorld story angle was favorable to the defense was when it reported "Estrada lawyers grill Singsonon testimony 'holes'." Almost all of the Inquirer's columnists praisedthe prosecutionwitnesses, especially EquitableBank Vice President Clarissa Ocampo. were also The witnesses' testimonies prominently cov ercdby' ante: On Ltm, Ab itreportedin its December12coverstory "'Naghatid ako ng P5M sa Palasyo!"' while "'Si Erap si Velarde!" (Erap is Velardel)was its lead story on December 23, afterOcampo'stestimony.Abante's reporl on Ocampo's other exposewas "'Velarde papersisi-switch dapatl"' The Journal was predictably antagonistic to all prosecution witnesses. They were portrayed in the news as either liand ars(Lim, SingsonCaridadRodenas Yasay), without credibility (Singson, Almadro and Yasay),or with inadmissibletestimony(Ocampo). Hostile to prosecution Like the Journal, the Tribune was also hostileto the prosecution witnesses in its reports. It used almost the same words and phrasesto describethem as theJournal. Again, on January 16,2007, the Tribune banner story turned into a commentary this time in repoding on the testimony of witnessYasay.The report said,"(Former SEC chair) PerfectoYasay Jr. wove fantastictales in his testimony yesterday before the impeachment court..." (lead, "Yasay claims threats, bribe bids, bomb scare,"January16). Malaya also habitually portrayed the prosecution in witnesses a bad light. Lim was labeled as "Chavit's girl" and a "liar"; her testimony was either rehearsedor fabricated; shewas hazy with dates and indebted to Singson. Singson, on the other hand, was described as not credible. Malaya writers suggested that his testimony might be thrown out of courl. They also claimed that Yasay lied under oath by publishing statements that effect. Espiritu was to the only witnesswho receivedpositive treatmentin Malaya. In reporling aboutthe witnesses, the Standard made it a point to put Singson in a negativelight. In "Singson shows P5-million check,"(December14,p.2) for example, Singson was reported as hav-

ing failed to drop the bombshell he had promised.As earliernoted,the prosecution panel camein for generallyunfavorable treatment. panel'sperspective The defense was on the other hand emphasized in the Standard afiicle "From trial to mistrial?" (December 15, banner story) where the defense warned that the use of private prosecutors "could lead to the voiding of the proceedings." However,the other witnesses'testimoniesgot goodtreatmentfromthe Standard. Ltm's tagging of Estrada son and San Juan Mayor Jinggoy Estrada as a jueteng bagman was reported as a banner story, and her claim that she deliveredmoney to Malacaflanggiven prominent treatment ("I delivered a black bag to Malacaflang,"December12,page l). The said report, however,was quick in pointing out Lim's boss-subordinate relationshipwith Singsonand the defense panel's discreditingher. Star witness Ocampo's exposethat Estrada and Jose Velarde were one and the samepersonwas the Standard sbanner storyon December "I sawthePresi23: dent sign as 'Jose Velarde' - witness". The story was accompanied a picture by showing a"calm and collected"Ocampo. From pro to con The Standard3 penchant for human interest stories was again apparent in a sidebar story about Ocampo: "Friends describeher as 'prim and proper."' When Mendoza revealed the defense's allegedattemptto tamperwith the Velarde account, the Standard published "Clarissa bomb stuns defense." The story describedEstelito Mendoza as "stunned" by Ocampo's statement. It was at this point that the Standard coverage began to change from pro- to anti-Estrada. The Standard thus gave banner treatment to Yasay's testimo?ry linking the abduction of Bubby Dacer to the BW scaminvolving Estrada("Yasay links Dacer caseto BW scamDante Tan was missingman's client"). In that story, Yasay was reported as saying he susoected that the PR man "was abducted because he was about to divulge what he knew about" the BW scam. The 'bombshell' that Ilocos governor Chavit Singsondroppedon December 14 took second place to the announcementof the next United States president("Bush next US presidentHigh Court reverses recount order") in the Times. Thenext day,the result of the US presidential race was again the emphasis of the banner,"Gore gives up at last America must rise above a house di-

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FROM AN UPRISING: Wile the SCENES militants were marching to Mendiola, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was sworn into ffice as the l4th President of the Republic. Top to bottom: (1) still at the EDSA shrine (2 & j)Flyovers full of people, not with vehicles (4) militants on their way to Mendiola (5) a steelJbnceand barbed wire separate the anti- and pro-Estrada groups. (6) Arroyo speaks before the Malacafiang employees. All photos by Lrro Octuro

Pnnppm lounilAu$il nHftuf March2001 9

Monitor

vided, says Bush" (subheadin italics). The Timesalso tried to call attention to the supposedlack of composureof the prosecution's witnesses.In the banner story "Bombshell alfiiaI Bank fficial says President signed "Jose Velarde" on P500M check," it claimed that Ocampo was "trembling visibly" when shetook the witness stand. It gave the impression that she was a very nervous witness despite other observations to the contrary. On January4,the Timesbannerheadline was focusedon the Philippine National Police's vow that arrestswould soon be made in connection with the December30 bombings. The trial article "Both sidesclaim win in Chavit exam" was againgiven lessprominence. Considering that the Timesis owned by former presidential adviser on Latin American Affairs Mark Jimenez,its banner on January12 which read,"Tan: MJ never owned BW'was perfectly in character. However,the article did not immediately go into the details of what it proclaimed in the head, leaving the reader waiting until the fifth paragraph.In addition, the storywas actuallyaboutEdgardo Espirifu'stestimony, Thn'sstatements. not The January 17 Timeseditorial defended Jimenez's reputation statingagain-that he was not involved in the BW scam and that the SEC investigation failed to prove allegations his inof volvement. This tack madethe testimony of Espiritu appearas less important to the prosecution'scase. "The Estradaimpeachment trial-fu 1l of lies andhalf-truths,suchasthosespoken by Mr. Espiritu, and indeed,full of facts and real truths-continues to be both a bane and blessingto our democracy. May the Senator-Judges and the Filipino people have the God-given discemmentto know truths from falsehood." "Best for last," part of Today'sJanuary 17 editorial, declaredYasay'stestimony as useless,saying that the testimony of Almadro was sufficient. The editorial urged the prosecutionto call on choicewitnessesin view ofthe time-constraints. The Bulletin noticeably did not publish detailedaccounts the testimonies of by the witnesses,except for Espiritu's. In addition, its reports also tended to favor the Estrada defensepanel. That 10-11vote The Senate tribunal'sdecisionnot to open the second envelope on January 16 triggeredPeoplePower II. It was the most significant event in the trial that day but surprisingly,on January17,Ihe

TV CREI4/AT EDSA: The biasesof their interests.

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People's Journal's banner-rn an uncanny repeat of its namesakeand antecedent the TimesJournal's failure to report on the funeral of Ninoy Aquino in 1983-read, "For fuiling to takefitness lesls 3000 cops face ouster" (kicker in italics). 'January The Times 17 banner headline read, "Defense scores! Pimentel quits; private prosecutors walk out." The enthusiasticexclamation point in this headline suggested enthusiasm the the Timesstaff had apparently felt at the 'No" vote of the night before. The art i c l e e m p h a s i z e dt h e s t a t e m e n t so f Estrada that the prosecution was "successful in hiring professionalliars"-a libelous statement, since it not only accusedthe prosecutionof being unethical, but also all its witnessesas liars. The Philippine Star story was more to thepoint : "Erap allies shackleDavidelbury P3.3-B bank evidencePimentel quits as president" (subheadin italics). Senate PeoplePower At the height of People Power II, BusinessWorld managed to maintain a somewhat distant stance in its reoortage.It published catchyor emotional no leads, limiting itself to plain, no-nonsensereporting. It also consistently avoided spreading huge pictures on its pages.The January 19-20 issue of BusinessWorld carried the banner story "Campaign for Estrada ouster spreading Civll obediencedrive starts in 'next few days"'. But the caption for the pictures accompanyingit read "Two for the road": it showed the anti- and pro-

Estrada camps demonstrating. BusinessWorldwas also consistent in playing up the unity between businessand labor angle,as shown by these stories: "Protest walkouts staged nationwide Business,workers unite against Erap" (November 15, bannerstory) and "Business,labor, urban poor in show of tmity vs Estrada" 30, Q.{ovember 2000,p.l ) The January 18 report "Protests sweep RP Angry rallies greet vote on bank records" in the Times was actually on both the pro- and anti-Estrada groups'rallies aroundthe country. The emphasis, however,was discernibleon the anti-group rally, a photo of which appearedon the front page. The proEstradarally was in an insidepage.At this time the TimesaLso beganto emphasize articles about those not getting involved in the rallies of eitherthe pros or the antis. These types of articles included "Lakas mayor defies party call againstEstrada Eusebio:No to anti-Erap rallies" (kicker in italics,November 15), "Mindoreflos passive to impeach court drama" (January 18), "Mindoro is pronot pro-Erap.saysgoverConstitution nor," (January 20) and "Bataan cold to rallies," (January20). The allegedly anti-Eshadabias ofthe mediawas also given voice in the report "Erap camphits 'bias' ofmediajob" January 19 where "Malacaflanginsists it is only media that has (sic) blown up the protests against President Estrada... Parrying reports of a growing clamor for the President'sresignation, acting Press SecretaryMike Toledo blamed media's modern technology for making opposi-

tO Pmrpprrul0unmffiillturtw March 2001

tion mobilizations appear bigger than their real sizes and for portraying the protests as representativeof Filipino sentiments." Two editorials appearedin the January 20 and2l issuesof the Times,oneon the front page and the other in its opinion section. The editorials hailed Arroyo's assumption to the presidency despite its belief that "the Constitution should have beenfollowed" and that rallies were merely "disruptive," although expressive well offree expression.It as also expressedits concern over threats supposedlyleveled againstEstradaduring the rallies. The January 21 issuesof both the Timesar'dthe Srar also published a press Arroyo l4'h release entitled"President President Senseofhistory repeating itself surrounds People Power II heroine" (subhead italics)which welcomedArin royo as president but at the same time cast doubts on the legitimacy of her accession. This piece, however,was distinguishedby its admissionfor the first time that Estrada had mismanaged the govemmentandwas morally challenged. "A big political problem for Macapagal Arroyo is that her supporters were for misunitedby their distaste Estrada's personal management and questionable morals rather than any backing for her." Today'sarticle "Suddenly,Edsa'sthe place to go to again" describedthe proEshadaralliesas"pro-ErapI akot rallies." Its January 18 issue featured three full pagesofnews; January19,fwo pagesof news; January 20, lhree pages of news; and January21 threepagesof newsplus three more pagesof commentaries the on rallies and one on the celebrationnarties in its Weekender supplement. 's Despite the Star obvious antipublished a pro-adminEstradastand,it istrationarticleon January19 headlined "Estrada:RP remainsattractiveto investors." It also coverednot only the antiEstrada rallies but also the pro-Estrada rallies aswell. Photosofboth ralliesaccompaniedthe articles. The reporting of pro-Estradaactivities can be interpreted as the newspaper'somewhatsimplistic attempt at being true to the journalistic imperativeof balance. The Inquirer came out with a special edition on January 19 atd20. It featured articles and pictures related to the eventsunfolding in EDSA at breakneck speed, scenesat the Senate during the January 16 trial sessiop,an interview with some grandchildren of Senator TessieAquino-Oreta, and even how the senatorsand witnesseswere dressed during the trial, among others.

On January 21, a day after Estrada . stepped down, the Inquirer even published "Exit with dignity 'He was too kind, abused pals"'(kicker in italics) by which from all indications seemed favorable to Estrada. One word could perfectly describe Pinoy Times: Brave. Without blinking an eye, its Liham sa Pangulo (Letter to the President, Pinoy Times'versionof an editorial) had consistently called for Estrada'sresignationor for him to at least appear in court. Pinoy Timescontinuesto publish the famous Pinoy Times Special Edition which it beganwhen Singson squealed on the jueteng pay-offs. The Special Edition has detailedEstrada'smansions, showedpictures of the palatial houses, featured some of Estrada's women and children,etc. On the l9th of January, the Standard's main story was "Aunor, Bong break away" and "Gloria issues first order" on January 20.

Having been silent for months on the . issueof the rallies, for the first time since the beginning of PeoplePower II, a comment on arally actually made the Bulletin editorial page, which congratulated Macapagal-Affoyo on January 21. Earlier, the Bulletin had published photos on street protests but had not commented on them. Previously, on January 18, although the Courier ran reports related to the brewing political crisis, it did not report on the size of the EDSA and other rallies.Neither did it print any photo of the huge crowd gathered at EDSA, which did almost all the newspapers simply because it was news. There was only a picture of Aquino and some senatorson the EDSA Shrinestage. On January 20, a day after the military withdrew its support from Estrada, the Courier finally mentioned in a news report a crowd estimate of 500,000 at EDSA. For the first time it alsopublished a photo on its front page showing the huge crowd at EDSA and emphasized storiesrelatedto that. But it can be deduced that the Courier only did so becauseit felt that Estrada'sfall was imminent. Somecolumnistsof the Courier also tried to avoid commenting on events, apparentlyso as not to revealtheir sentiments. But this effort was too little too late, the Courier having shown its true colors in the months that preceded Abanle Tonite's coverage of the P e o p l e P o w e r I I w a s e m o t i o n a l l y - People Power II. The editorial section charged. While it is commonfortabloids took the sametack, however.Even the to use exclamationpoints in their head- Courier editorial cartoonwas careful not on PowerII. to makeany statement People lines, their choice of words, like "nagdagsaan"(to rush in droves) added In thoseexciting times, on January18 the Courier editorial cartoonwas on the garintensity if not exaggeration to the reports. It also tended to sensationalize, bage crisis, while it choseto featurethe as the phrase "Awayang Enrile-Ramos GenericsLaw in its editorialofthe 20th. When Estrada eventually stepped sumiklab na" (Enrile-Ramos feud bursts into flames, January 18, cover story) down and Macapagal-Arroyowas sworn into office, the Courier editorials took a meanssomethingmore than a word-war dramatic 180-degreeturn. They sudin Filipino. Otheiexamplesof strongsiodenly becamesupportiveof Macapagalries and headsinclude "Sa EDSA in Arroyo, and were besidethemselves babagsaksi Estrada!" (Estradawill fall at EDSA, January 18, page 2) and heapingpraiseson the millions ofpeople "Mananagot si Erap!"(Erap will pay, Janu- who had trooped to EDSA, and in espousing peaceand unity. Yet only a few ary 18,p.3) days previously, the Courier was critiAbante Tonite's cover article on January20 was "Malacaflang susugurin cizing the demonstrations that, it said, na" (Malacanang will be attacked) and were hurting the economy, and doubting whether there would be a successful was accompaniedby a picture of a man PeoplePowerII. in the crowd holding a bannerproclaimThe Courier columnistssimilarly did ing, Hatol ng bayan:Guilty! (Thepeople's an about-face.Some were careful not to verdict: Guilty!) The Bulletin published a full page express any opinion about what had dedicated impeachmentandrally news happenedand insteadtalked about other, to less exciting events.By all indications, on the 17m. The next day, with the exas this stance was to serrr'e the staging ception of four reports,thewhole Bulletin frontpage was on rally-related news. point before they becameoutrightly pro-

Monitor

Ths stubhonnlv pro-Estrada

Tribune belittled PeoplePower ltr.

PmppntlounilA[sil nMil

March2001 11

ilonitor
Macapagal-Arroyo as they had been slavishly pro-Estrada. One columnist even wrote about how she had gone to EDSA and how she was in tears when she saw the huge number ofpeople gathered there. Another columnist disaopeared for a few days. then suddeniy came back heaping praises on Macapagal-Arroyo. The Courier is a government paper, but that should be no defensefor its exercise of servile, whoever's-in-power journalism. If anl.thing, its performance indicates the urgency of reforming the governmentinformation systemtowards its functioning as true vehicles ofpublic information rather than its present oripersonal pubentationasthe President's lic relationsagent. Malaya on the other hand remained steadfast the end. On January 19, it to did report on the PeoplePower rallies, but also reportedthat investorsremained confident about the economy and that the administration's economicmanagers were not quitting. In Malayab January 21 issue, its reports were still sympathetic to the oustedPresident. The People's Journal published a numberof PeoplePower II photographs on January 18. Its reportswere critical of the Prosecution Team for quitting. The editorial was, again,critical of Cardinal Sin. Until the end, the Peopleb Journal remained an Erap defender. It only ceased being critical of the United Opposition on January21, when it reported Macapagal-Arroyo'sbeing sworn in as President. For its part, the stubbornly proEstradaTribunebelittled PeoolePower "EDSA was an IT.sayingin its editorial. occurrencefueled by a confluence by eventsthat pulled people to the streets. It was angerbottled up for 20 years suddenly exploding, the mutiny ofthen perceived loyal officials of the President...This time. the crowd was made up of mostly the so-calledorganized groups who are the same people that picketed the Senate or those who attendedthe November 4 prayer rally." ("EDSA II," January18,p.4) However, it contradicteditself January 27, when the dust had settled and Macapagal-Aroyo was President, with a front page report headlined"Edsa II overthrowsEstrada:" "The Filipino did it again.(lead) "Fifteen years after the 1986EDSA Revolution, peoplehaveonceagain the proven they are united in overthrowing an alleged (sic) corrupt leader." (paragraph2)

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16 issue,going as far as to publish the letter on its front page with an equally prominent article"SC releases a copy of Arroyo's letter." On the other hand, it gave little importance to the inhibition of two SupremeCourtjusticesin the caseof Estrada, namely Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. and Associate Justice Artemio Panganiban. The SupremeCourt hearingofthe petition of Estrada against Macapagal-Arroyo's presidency or the two justices' self-inhibitionfrom hearingthe casewere bigger and more significant developments than the existenceof a letter, and yet, these were the issues that Today deemed less important. The threemost widely- circulated newspapers the country -the Main nila Bulletin, the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Philippine Star gavethe self-inhibitionof thejustices and Estrada'spetition more importance. The Inquirer and the Bulletin merely mentionedthe "issue" of the letter in passing. The Star did not mention it at all. Could the fact that one of Today's columnists is Rene Saguisag, lead the lawyer of Estrada, be the reason behind its playing up the issue?Or was this just a plain caseof flawed news judgment?

PEOPLE POWER II, which ousted former President Joseph Estrada last January20, was widely covered by the media. Television and radio stations covered the events live, while publishednuthe Manila newspapers merous storiesin the unfolding drama at EDSA and other parts of the country during the four days ofthe nationwide rallies. The media coveredthe inauguration of then Vice-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyoto the presidencyjust as fully. However, at the time of this writing, Estrada, who claimedthat he was only on leave and thus still the president, was challenging the legitimacy of the governmentof Macapagal-Arroyo. He saidArroyo was merely-"acting" president, and his lawyers had filed a suit in the Supreme Court, in the courseofwhich one ofthem, Rene Saguisag, claimed that a letter allegedly written by Macapagal-Arroyo to the Supreme Court justices inviting them to her inauguration at the Edsa shrine last January 20 did not exist. The newspapers reported and were still reporting on the legitimacy issuebefore the SupremeCourt before PJR went to press, but most of them gave little importanceto the existence or non-existence of the letter. However, Today gave it particular significanceand prominence in its February

tz Pnuprmloufitlltsil IIuBT March2001