House leaders clarify status of Right of Reply bill

MANILA, Philippines – A ranking leader of the House of Representatives on Thursday clarified that the Right of Reply bill is just being put on hold to allow all concerned sectors, especially the media, to come up with recommendations that would promote press freedom. “We did not recommit the bill to the sponsoring committee. We are just not hurrying up its plenary consideration to allow members of the House and the stakeholders to review its provisions and reach the best consensus,” said House Majority Leader Arthur Defensor in a statement. Meanwhile, Speaker Prospero Nograles said the House leadership is still awaiting amendatory recommendations coming from media groups and other stakeholders before the Right of Reply measure is taken up in plenary. “We should be able to take advantage of the month-long congressional recess to consult with each other and come to a consensus that will protect press freedom and isolate it from possible abuses by any of the stakeholders,” he said. - Fidel Jimenez, GMANews.TV