NPC to file cases vs. Kalinga governor for 'attack' on radioman

“In defense of the freedom of the press and of expression," the National Press Club intends to file administrative, civil and criminal cases against Kalinga Governor Jocel Baac for attacking radio commentator Jerome Tabanganay inside the studio booth of dzRK. But a report on the late-night newscast “Saksi" Wednesday said the governor denied the attack, claiming Tabanganay was his friend. In statement released on Thursday, NPC president Jerry S. Yap said his group “will file a complaint for administrative violations against Governor Baac for conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and for oppression, both punishable with dismissal from the [civil] service," as well as “a civil suit for damages" under Article 32 of the Civil Code of the Philippines and “a criminal case for sedition" under Article 139 of the Revised Penal Code. Also on Thursday, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo told GMA News Online that his agency's regional office in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) has already been tasked to investigate Baac, who along with several companions reportedly had barged into the radio booth of dzRK-Radio ng Bayan-Kalinga on Tuesday and hit Tabanganay in the mouth with a microphone. The NPC said it “will always take the cudgels for all or any member of the press." “When will the Philippines ever recover from the worst image as the most dangerous place for working journalists?" laments the NPC. “The country is still reeling over the trial of the worst massacre that killed 33 journalists in one fell swoop on November 23, 2009 in the town of Ampatuan, Maguindanao. Yet, there is no end for one after another revolting act." —MRT/VS, GMA News