The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in condemning the guilty verdict passed down in the case against Carmelo Rima, publisher and editor-in-chief of the weekly Island Sandigan.
On January 15 Catanduanes police arrested and detained Rima, on an indirect contempt charge issued by Regional Trial Court Judge,LeluContreras, following an article published by Rima in the paper Island Sandigan. Judge Contreras felt she was alluded to in the article which stated that a judge was involved in forging Catanduanes Governor Joseph Cua’s naturalization documents.
On January 18, Judge Contreras, found publisher-editor Rima guilty of indirect contempt for writing the article that allegedly maligned her and the court. Judge Contreras imposed a fine of P30,000 on Rima and demanded he publish an apology in local newspapers in exchange for a suspended jail term.
Ramil Soliveres, NUJP-Catanduanes chair stated that Rima opted to apologize rather than serve a jail term, as he is in poor health and recuperating from throat cancer.
No lawyer represented Rima during yesterday’s proceeding, Soliveres added. Public Attorney’s Office lawyer Emmanuel Pelea and private lawyer Leo Mendoza who initially offered to represent him later withdrew their offer. Mendoza cited conflict of interest since his brother-in-law Governor Joseph Cua, was cited in the article which led to the charge against Rima.
Judge Contreras proceeded with the hearing, reportedly saying to Rima, “you can defend yourself, can’t you? You’re smart enough, right?”
Rima was detained for three days – defying Rule 71, Sec. 4 of the Revised Rules of Court in which an accused can only be imprisoned under charges of direct contempt. On January 18 after three days in detention, Rima asked the court if he could be allowed to post bail, but Judge Contreras refused.
“This case highlights the blatant disregard of the Judiciary in the Philippines of the rights of all citizens to freedom of expression and a fair trial under the Constitution,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.
The IFJ demands the Central Government ensure judicial officers and court officials are made aware of the rights of journalists to report on matters of public interest.
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0950
The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries
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