Govt radio commentator eyes charges vs Kalinga gov for 'attack'

A commentator on government-run Radyo ng Bayan in Kalinga province is filing charges against the provincial governor for allegedly attacking him while he was still on air Tuesday. Jerome Tabanganay was still in the announcer's booth of dzRK Radyo ng Bayan when Kalinga Governor Jocel Baac entered the booth and disconnected the mic. "Hinampas daw siya ni governor ng microphone. Pagpasok niya roon, hinablot agad ang mic sa booth namin at tinanggal ang wire para hindi marinig ang usapan sa loob. Nagulat si Jerome. Pagpasok niya 'Sumosobra ka na,' yan ang unang salita ni Governor Baac," dzRK station manager Basil Baluyan said in an interview on dzBB radio Tuesday night. "As far as Jerome is concerned meron siyang sinabi kanina magfa-file siya ng demanda (As far as Jerome is concerned, he will file charges against the governor)," Baluyan added. But a report on the late-night newscast "Saksi" said the governor denied the attack and claimed Tabanganay was his friend.
The newscast had showed a video footage of Tabanganay airing his commentaries when the governor entered the announcer's booth. After the confrontation, Tabanganay returned to the booth and announced the "attack" by the governor. Baluyan said the incident occurred at about 12:55 p.m., adding he was in his office at the time of the incident. He said he heard a commotion and went to the booth to see Baac inside with his bodyguards, and Baac having words with Tabanganay. "Lumapit ako kay govbernor, inalalayan ko siya lumabas ng booth siya naman ay lumabas (I went to the governor and escorted him outside)," he said. According to Baluyan, the incident may have stemmed from Tabanganay reading on air some text messages that were unfavorable to the governor, which Baac wanted "rectified." Baluyan said the station went off the air to "ease the tension," although he said the station transmitter also needed maintenance. "Parang in-off the air muna namin para ma-ease ang tension (We went off the air for a while to ease the tension)," he said. — LBG, GMA News