NUJP: Lawyer’s ‘unintended’ intimidation can’t curtail rights

MANILA, Philippines—The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said a lawyer’s apology for “unintended” intimidation cannot curtail the media’s right to report on suspicious transactions or corruption involving public officials.

In a statement on Wednesday, the NUJP rejected the warning of lawyer Mark Vinluan, Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense lawyer, who claimed journalists could face criminal liability under the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

Earlier, Vinluan cited penalties under the AMLA while questioning Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Secretariat Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura on rules governing financial confidentiality.

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READ: Sara Duterte lawyer apologizes to senator-judges over ‘intimidating’ remarks

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On Tuesday, he apologized to the senator-judges for remarks that may have appeared to intimidate the witness or members of the media, saying it was never his intention.

The NUJP said it “does not take attempts to silence and intimidate journalists, whether unintended or not, lightly.”

“Public officials and lawyers should know better than to wield the AMLA as a threat against journalists simply for doing their jobs,” said the NUJP.

Section 9(C) of the AMLA bars the media from disclosing that a covered or suspicious transaction has been reported to the AMLC, as well as the contents of such reports and related information.

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“However, when suspicious transaction reports (STRs) are disclosed in official proceedings, especially concerning transactions of public officials, they become a matter of public interest,” said the NUJP.

NUJP said the public’s constitutional right to know should take precedence in such cases concerning public officials’ transactions.

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The press’ right to report on matters of public concern should likewise prevail.

The media association also pointed to Section 16 of the AMLA, which prohibits using the law as a tool for political prosecution or harassment.

“We are all too familiar with how the AMLA has been used to silence independent journalists in the Philippines, many of whom remain detained years after the Duterte administration launched its campaign to silence dissenters and rights advocates,” said the NUJP.

The NUJP said Vinluan’s invocation of the AMLA to shield the financial transactions of a sitting vice president from public scrutiny raises concerns. 

The union said this could restrict the work of independent journalists and civil society groups seeking to exercise their freedoms and pursue legitimate activities.

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“The public has the right to know. The press will continue to report on matters of public interest,” added the union. /jpv