The Center’s Continuing Legacy: The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism throughout the Years

The Center’s Continuing Legacy:
The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism throughout the Years

I distinctly recall a class in our Development Journalism subject in college where our professor asked what kind of journalism we wanted to practice. My reply was investigative journalism. This arose from reading detective stories from grade school until high school like Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Perry Mason, and seeing legal drama series, such as LA Law, and even re-runs of Matlock. I remember that I was always amazed by the logic and meticulous manner they solved the different cases. I never really thought of being a detective or lady cop but I have always been fascinated by the manner the issues are solved by inquisitive minds that unravel evidences in search of the truth.

Little did I know that this simple thought which entered my mind as a teenager has actually been institutionalized through a research paper written by Honorable Rigoberto D. Tiglao (“Office of the Presidential Chief of Staff” Office of the Republic of the Philippines President Web Site. 26 August 2006 ) during his Nieman Fellowship at the Harvard University. The proposal on the establishment of a center to “address the need for newspapers and broadcast agencies to go beyond day-to-day reportage” (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism Online. 26 August 2006
<>) gave birth to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) in 1989 together with his colleagues who are all well-respected Filipino journalists. They are Sheila Coronel, Beting Laygo-Dolor, Malou Mangahas, Lorna Kalaw-Tirol, Howie Severino and David Celdran.

To date, PCIJ has published over 180 articles in major Philippine newspapers and magazines, produced five (5) full-length documentaries and launched more than 20 books about politics & government, journalism & media, the environment, women and special interests. PCIJ’s catchy slogan tells it all: “We tell it like it is… No matter who… No matter what… Journalism with an Impact”

We tell it like it is…

“The PCIJ is unique because of its special focus on investigative journalism. Our organization is funded by a combination of grants, revenues and contributions from individual supporters. Our funding structure allows us to be independent because we are beholden neither to media owners nor to advertisers nor even to grant-giving organizations (the diversity of our funding base allows us to choose the projects we want to do with donors and to set our own terms with them). We are, however, accountable to our board and ultimately, to our readers,” says Sheila Coronel, PCIJ Director (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism Online. 26 August 2006 < p="4">).

Last year, the Center published the article Health Politics Demoralizes Doctors (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism Online. 24 May 2005
) One of the examples cited is how barrio doctor Richard Lariosa had to persuade the Tagapul-an, Samar mayor to turn over all the medicine stocks to the rural health unit after being assured that the people would know the medicines came from him. Eventually, Lariosa was assigned to Batanes as the Doctors of the Barrio Leaders for Health concluded the Tagapul-an, Samar mayor had little concern about health. The report has the characteristics of standard PCIJ articles where specific names, places and events are cited leaving no questions unanswered.

As far back as 1997, PCIJ published a guide book, Uncovering the Beat: The Real-world Guide to Reporting on Government (Corotan, Gemma Luz, et. al. Manila: Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, 1997). In journalism terms, a beat applies to a special area assigned to reporters (Ramirez, Jaime B. Philippine Journalism Handbook. Caloocan City: National Book Store. 1989. 581). It could be an area, e.g., CAMANAVA (CAloocan, MAlabon, NAvotas, VAlenzuela), or a government office, e.g., the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). In the book’s Foreword, it mentions the specific objective which is “to aid harassed journalists being sent out to the beat and made to report on key issues and crucial events, often with scarce preparation” (Corotan, Gemma Luz, et. al. Foreword. Manila: Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, 1997. vii.). The book is divided into eight (8) chapters: Law Enforcement, The Courts, Congress, The Presidency, The Economy, The Environment, Education and Health. These are the beats where most of the biggest news regularly originate.

The most striking subtitle within the book is Looking for Pork in the Congress. The book says that “looking for congressional ‘pork’ is done much the same way that one searches for food: by following its aroma and uncovering the pots that may contain it.” The book posts pertinent questions such as “Does any of this amount go directly to the legislators?,” “Is the ‘pork barrel’ always a bad thing?” and even the meanings of the pork’s fancy names. All questions were answered with clear explanations.

No Matter Who...

With the number of newspapers, magazines and tabloids out in the market, publishers strive to make titles of articles as catchy as possible. A publication may have exclusive coverage about a topic that may appeal to the general reading public yet it may not sell much because when it is placed beside other reading materials, it may not “look and sound” as interesting.

In keeping with the Center’s vision to be a catalyst for consensus that would redound to the promotion of public welfare, PCIJ published the book The Child with a Fish for a Twin (Or How not to Write about Children) (Balgos, Cecile. Manila: Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, 2001.). The title is deliberately unorthodox to arouse interest on an otherwise uncontroversial yet important issue, the plight of Filipino children. “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa sa kinabukasan,” goes the cliché. It is ironic how little attention is given to children by the media and the government alike.

The United Nations’ most recent statistics (“United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals Indicators.” United Nations in the Philippines. 26 August 2006 ) shows that 27.6% of children under five (5) years old are moderately or severely underweight in the Philippines. No matter how objective a reporter tries to document the plight of children, stories about them are always perceived emotional by the readers. The Child with a Fish for a Twin states the obstacles reporters face when writing about children.

The limited time allotted in gathering data and writing the story means less quality interviews and field research which results to inaccurate news reports. In addition, the primary source of information, the children, are shy and afraid of strangers. To urge the readers who will access the book to spring into action and to be actively involved in improving the living conditions of the children, the book has a directory of government agencies, local and international non-government organizations (NGOs) which they can approach to report injustice committed against children. It also has selected definitions and statistics to further explain terminologies used in the book.

No Matter What...

PCIJ will always be associated with serious, hard-hitting reports which “promote investigative reporting on current issues in the Philippine society.” In addition, it also contributes to promote investigative reporting on “matters of large public interest.” Taking the Filipino culture into account, how Filipinos enjoy a good laugh even through trying times, PCIJ also published Joke ni Erap: A Jokebook to Support Serious Journalism (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Manila: PCIJ, 1999.).

This book was in addition to deposed President Erap Estrada’s Eraption series which he published during the 1998 presidential election campaign period. Joke ni Erap is a product of global exchange. The accessibility of cyberspace is a good medium for all Pinoys dispersed around the world to unite in noisy humor. On its cover, Joke ni Erap irreverently pointed at both Erap and the decorative head of the carabao in front of the passenger jeep and labeled both as Father of Carabao English. Another line printed on the cover is “A Lady without a Lover is like a Joke without Erapsyon.” This is a direct jest to the common knowledge about Erap’s numerous “wives.” The Foreword of the book is aptly entitled “Why a Jokebook?” Its simple reply is “Why not? When all else fails – even this attempt at an introduction – we can always laugh.”

Journalism with an Impact

One political issue that stands out in my mind is the PEA-Amari scam which marred then President Fidel V. Ramos’ credibility. PCIJ’s report PEA-Amari: The Grandmother of all Scams (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism Online. 26 August 2006
) which won first prize in the 1998 JVO Investigative Journalism Awards quoted full names and the amounts they received in millions of pesos while the negotiations were ongoing. Sheila Coronel and Ellen Tordesillas recreated the events like they were unfolding before the readers’ eyes.

The key person in the transaction, Justiniano “Bobby” Montano IV is described as an aging playboy named after his grandfather, the strongman who held Cavite in thrall from the 1940s to the 1960. A certain Benito Cuevo is depicted as a cagey, nondescript man in his late 60s… a seedy character. Cuevo owns the International Merchandising and Development Corp., a trading company through which some of the Amari commissions were coursed.

While the report mentioned that it was unfortunate the Senate investigation did not pursue President Ramos’ possible role, it also said that it was clear from the Senate hearings that Malacañang’s blessings went a long way in ensuring the deal’s approval. To substantiate its report, the Center was able to quote Senator Franklin Drilon, Chair of the Senate blue ribbon which investigated the deal. He said, “It’s possible DOJ Secretary Teofisto Guingona, Jr. saw the President’s approval in writing and felt he had to sustain the President’s approval.”

President Ramos was not the only Philippine president who was exposed by the PCIJ. In 2000, the Center published a series of astounding reports about then President Erap Estrada’s close to P1 billion worth of land and houses in some of Metro Manila’s poshest and most exclusive districts. They are entitled, The State of the President’s Finances: Can Erap Explain his Wealth? (July 24-25), The Estrada’s Three Dozen Houses: First Family’s Firm Flouts the Law (August 21-22) and Estrada’s Fronts: Cronies and Attorneys (October 23).

In the article The State of the President’s Finances (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism Online. 26 August 2006 ), a table of Estrada’s assets, liabilities and net worth in millions of pesos is presented. The article urged Estrada to explain how he can support his lavish lifestyle. His statement of assets and income tax return does not provide an accurate picture of the magnitude of the President’s and his families’ wealth.

The Estrada’s Three Dozen Houses (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism Online. 26 August 2006 ) revealed how the JELP Real Estate Development Corp., a company owned by the Estrada family which built 36 two-storey townhouses on a one-hectare lot in Antipolo, committed eight (8) major licensing violations according to Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) Licensing Division’s Technical Services Assistant Chief Magdalena Vergara. Among JELP’s basic offenses were not securing zoning and building permits, environmental clearance certificate and the license to sell.

The article Estrada’s Fronts: Cronies and Attorneys (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism Online. 26 August 2006 ) has a table entitled Houses Fit for a President? which shows properties owned by President Estrada citing house and lot addresses, lot sizes in square meters, estimated market values, construction costs based on estimates by various builders and purchase dates. It was concluded by stating the profiles of Estrada’s front men, real estate developer Jose Luis Yulo, businessman Jacinto Ng, and Puregold Duty-Free Shops owner Lucio Co.

This series of articles is consistently cited in broadsheet and online publications as the start of the downfall of Estrada’s administration. The top major daily, Philippine Daily Inquirer, was urged to create the Web site Bad Times: Estrada under Siege (http://www.inq7.net/jueteng/) on October, 2000 to gather all published materials about the topic in one site.

The Consequences

As the Center believes that the media should be a catalyst for social debate and consensus by providing the bases for arriving at informed opinions and decisions, it went a step further, shared research techniques and tips on accessing information to its Web viewers. PCIJ equips the citizenry with a channel where they can exchange information and insights through a blog it aptly calls Inside PCIJ. A blog is a Web site that provides a venue for commentaries or news and information about a particular subject (Wikipedia. 26 August 2006
). On April 4, 2005, the Center launched the first institutional blog ever set up by a media organization in the Philippines. (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism Online. 26 August 2006 ). A total of 17 bloggers posted comments within 3 days after its launch. Bloggers are persons who express themselves via online media (Civilities, Media Structures Research 26 August 2006
). In this Web site, topics are categorized into Charter Change, Access to Information, Arroyo Impeachment, Investigative Reports, Media Issues (including Journalist Killings) and Political Humor, among others.

The most commented topic is Palawan Radio Journalist Killed (Inside PCIJ. 22 May 2006 ). It is about the murder by shooting of hard-hitting radio commentator Fernando Batul of Puerto Princesa, Palawan. No less than 521 comments are posted, the most recent of which were written two (2) months later. Alecks Pabico, PCIJ’s online manager, responsibly closed the post for comments as he judged that all arguments and counter-arguments have all been exhausted… rather than add to the animosity caused by reckless accusations from both sides, which add up to nothing.

No matter how well-researched and documented articles are, people mentioned within them find ways to stop the Center. On November 5, 2005, the Philippine Daily Inquirer posted on its front page Court Orders 'Libelous' Item Deleted from PCIJ Website. The article is about the stand-off between the controversial “Hello, Garci” digital audio engineer Jonathan Tiongco and the PCIJ. The Center received the first legal action and first temporary restraining order (TRO) issued against a blog in the Philippines. In April, 2006, The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (Center for Media Freedom Online 26 August 2006 ) reported six (6) additional lawsuits filed by Jonathan Tiongco. Investigations into the case are still ongoing.

We tell it like it is… No matter who… No matter what… Journalism with an Impact

The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism is able to publish hard-hitting articles because its funding is beholden neither to media owners nor advertisers. The Center is able to maintain its credibility and to hold the interest of the reading and viewing public about an issue because reports cite specific cases together with the complete names of people involved. It also urges the citizenry to be actively involved as it collates and presents pertinent information about offices and organizations that are handling specific cases. Mass media has the power to arouse the interest of the public regarding a topic which may be of national importance yet considered to have little appeal depending on the presentation of the subject matter.

Journalism with an impact means opening the minds of the people to questioning the state of affairs of the nation. The Center even went as far as sharing coverage techniques so the public can be involved in searching for the truth and not passively accepting reports seen on the television, heard on the radio or read in the papers. As a result, the boundaries of the role of the media were pushed to provide the venue where opinions may be exchanged. This should still be responsibly regulated by the owners of the forum, however, so as not to lose sight of the original focus. As new ways of expressing opinions are introduced, some legal boundaries may be tested. These are all consequences of searching for the truth by the inquisitive minds that are presented with fascinating evidences.

Analyzing the Analysis

Analyzing the Analysis

(Book Review on News for Sale:
The Corruption & Commercialization of the Philippine Media 2004 Edition)

News for Sale: The Corruption & Commercialization of the Philippines Media (2004 edition) was written by Chay Florentino-Hofileña to document the psychology of Philippine elections and make the reader understand the interplay between politics and media in these times. In addition, the author aimed to present solutions to the existing situations which happened during the previous election period in the Philippines by involving the government, the media and the voting public.

The public expects media to deliver without bias the news regarding events of national interest especially the coverage of elections. The book documents how things were done in the past to establish that corruption in Philippine media started during the reign of President Ramon Magsaysay. One chapter is dedicated to each of the biggest media forms - television, radio and print. These chapters show that power and fear are the strongest motivations why politicians and media people perform their corruptive acts. The acts of the few good men are also mentioned to show that, provided the media person and the publisher/station manager stood by their convictions, buying media can still be reduced, if not totally eliminated.

Considering the title of the book, it shows what should be expected in the content. The cover which shows a cartoon illustration of how media people are usually depicted, i.e., wearing vests on top of shirts, one of them with a laptop, one with a sling bag holding a microphone, and the other one holding a video camera. They neatly fall in line. It is disturbing to note that a hand is putting money into the tops of their heads, which are opened by them willingly. The first and last persons in the line are partially hidden, giving the illusion that it is the practice, it has gone on for some time and will continue on for who knows when. It is also disheartening to note that no one is making them fall in line, no one resists falling in line and no one is doing anything to stop it.

The Editor’s Note establishes the credibility of the book by telling the measures on how the information presented were collated. It also mentions the goal of the book, to document how corruption is institutionalized during election period. Since this is a revised edition, it gives a brief history of what can be found in the previous edition through a summary, and gradually paced into the revised edition. It is a good teaser on what to expect in the book. It presents the reasons behind the events. It shows how political machineries fed on the need of TV and radio executives, and newspaper editors to gain profit. It also showed how corruption is legitimized in all media forms during elections. Another goal of the book is to educate the public of the laws which should be referred to in the given situations. It shows the public’s responsibilities in strategic places.

Throughout the book, it is apparent that the motivation of the people who do these malpractices is fear, i.e., fear of what politicians can do to media people and fear of what media people can do to candidates’ images. The book gives detailed accounts of events which actually happened, mentions big names in Philippine media and politics. When the source declined to be identified, the book establishes his/her credibility by mentioning the position held or roles played in certain circumstances.

Hofileña employs a consistent form of writing. She gives an overview of what to expect in all subtopics and since I have been reading it critically, it leads me to pose questions. I have consistently found the answers to them. However, Hofileña is fond of using “mental quotes.” At first, it appears witty but since she uses it abundantly, it makes me feel that she has left too many matters for the readers’ inference. The book also quotes political analysts’ insights, though they remain unnamed.

As the topic is corruption, Hofileña mentions the exceptions to the rule, those who did the right things and what happened to them as well. She mentions the faults of press people, how rampant corruption is, with detailed accounts of events in Metro Manila, but that is understandable considering the Philippines’ political set-up. Some accounts were brief glimpses of what have happened which makes me almost want to read the source articles. (If I had the time, maybe I would look for the books mentioned in the End Notes.) Since many statistics come from surveys, the author uses different sources of statistics.

Hofileña also shows the importance of the print and TV station’s management’s support when reporters are pushed against the wall regarding some issues, how Chino Roces, then Manila Times publisher and then young business reporter Satur Ocampo, dealt with a threatening situation and how the daily BusinessWorld deals with it on a consistent basis. Even if reporters stand by their convictions, they are powerless when big people approach the bosses.

Chapter Two is entitled Television Is King. It establishes the reach of television in terms of audience in comparison to other media forms, hence the title. It shows how politicians use TV so they will be remembered best. I agree with the writer that since the reporters, the incumbent and those seeking positions are in constant contact, it sometimes makes it hard when to draw the line between friendships and official matters. This is still not a valid justification in seeing wrong things as acceptable, at the very least. The book humanizes media people in an objective manner.

In the same chapter, I almost wanted to skip the passages where Lolit Solis is cited as the source of information because I doubt her credibility considering the many scandals she gets in to. However, since it covers four pages, I was forced to pore over it. In the end, I was enlightened that she was a good source considering she managed big celebrities such as Lorna Tolentino, Christopher de Leon and Judy Ann Santos, among others, who were endorsers of politicians in election times. It also shows the effects when showbiz and politics mingle, how a taboo practice in political beat reporting such as distribution of envelopes with money is widely accepted in the entertainment world.

Another personality which held my interest was Loren Legarda. Her ways of swaying reporters to her side stood out to me because she used to be part of the media that she tries to buy off. Instead of taking the lead on correcting the wrongdoings, she was a victim as well of the system of bribery in order to secure her place in politics.

The chapter Airwaves for Sale is another striking matter for me. Here, the radio players are the ones who approach politicians so they would buy air time in “bargain and discounted” prices. As all candidates have media strategists, it shows how the appropriate medium grooms the right image for a politician.

The last media form discussed is Paying for Print. It shows that processes and standards in place in a system are the best recourses to fight off corruption as it boils down to consulting the right document when one is in doubt. A Glossary of Media Corruption is documented at the end of the chapter.

On the whole, the book is depressing to read because it presents the harsh realities during elections. The last chapter presents welcome topics as it shows the measures put in place by the media to set as standards and guidelines to curb the wrong processes. The solutions presented are realistic as it calls for the accountability of the government, media and the voting public. Enforcing these measures is the hard part as it goes against the “rules laid out by traditions.”

Learning in Theory and in Practice

I really want to update this blog on a regular basis. However, sometimes, life is boring. As I was racking my brain thinking of things to write about, it hit me that I may post the articles I wrote in class which earned me respectable grades. Here's one...

Learning in Theory and in Practice

Digital technologies provide the fastest means to access and disseminate data that eventually become information and knowledge, depending on an individual’s level of interest and expertise. The geographical location where data resides is no longer an issue because members of social groups and occupational worlds can conveniently share resources anytime anywhere. This does not guarantee, however, that individual members of a group working collectively are easily dispensable as they know how to effectively turn information to knowledge in a particular organizational setup.

Brown & Duguid describe information as independent, thus, more or less self-sufficient. However, unless information, in the form of data, is transformed into knowledge, through the “appropriate application of the appropriate technology for the appropriate situation,” it is completely useless. Thus, knowledge management is possible through the use of “flexible electricity-based technologies that converge all previous media forms into a common form” (McLuhan).

In spite of this, it is still the culture within organizations which mold people into ideal knowers of knowledge. Brown & Duguid mentioned that “in areas where knowledge really counts, people count more than ever” as they know how to work within the culture. In an organizational setup, new workers can be trained on how to work within a system but it takes time to orient and train individuals on how to access the information they need. It takes time to develop good camaraderie among individuals with different personalities that need to collaborate to efficiently exchange knowledge and information. Information technology provides the means for members to communicate indirectly but “changes propagate easily and allows for highly productive and creative work to develop collaboratively, where reciprocity is strong.” This is because knowledge “entails a knower’s understanding and a certain degree of commitment.” In any given situation, a concerned knower who has spent years within an organization can easily recall related events which happened in the past that has bearing on the present situation. This knowledge; can serve as guidelines on formulating effective measures to reach future directions.

For this reason, “blind downsizing by business process reengineering cause organizations to lose ‘collective memory’.” While it is also true that “people learn on their own through picking up information from numerous sources about numerous topics without even becoming a member” as people share little or no common practices in these communities, only a handful of relevant information are accessed. This results in little knowledge, hence, people take little action. In these situations, they can hardly make “a difference that makes a difference” (Bateson).

Positive differences can be easily achieved because geographical location of data is no longer an issue. Digital technologies provide the means to conveniently share resources anytime anywhere. The crucial element that will determine an organization’s failure or success are seasoned individual knowers in a group who work collectively to transform information to knowledge.

More New Friendships

Friendships always excite me. I’m the type of person who takes ages to warm up to people. However, I find myself easily opening up to people in a meaningful way lately.

My friendship with the biology professor I met in the Singles for Christ-Christian Life Program (SFC-CLP) recently is going stronger. She was truly one of God’s blessings from the start. We had dinner in campus once, actually went out on 2 different weekends to do girly things such as malling and shopping and I even kept her company for breakfast this morning. To think I only knew her on July 21.

I recall how excited we always are when they grouped us for sharing in CLP. By the 4^th week, we knew that we would be permanent CLP group mates. I like talking to her because she makes sense and she actually indulges in girl talk. My other friends have already outgrown girl talk. Being with her is always fun.

I have another new friend in campus. Our offices sometimes coordinate on projects once in a while so we know each other by face but never really talked. I only talked to her because my officemates saw her being interviewed on TV. I asked her about it, one question led to another and now I’m actually very open to her about most things I would have kept personal till who knows when?

When there are people with whom I dare to be myself in a matter of days, I sincerely feel most richly blessed.

Proud of my 3.5s

You may say that I am so full of myself today but I am very proud of the grades I got in my 2 Master’s classes!!! Two 3.5s no less!!!

I can say that I pushed myself to the limit because I felt the genuine need to learn. I sincerely wanted to impress both of my professors because they are considered brilliant minds in their professions. I came to classes prepared with answers and most of the times, questions too. I even appreciated the hard work and effort I exerted in both subjects because I actually learned new things. They were the topics which I would have given up reading after the first page, if I didn’t need to pass with decent grades. They used simple English yet the matters discussed were really complicated. I and my classmates actually felt that the school term ended too soon. Just when we mastered the subjects, just when we could discuss most technologies in the lessons discussed, just when all things came into place.

Next term, I imagine all 14 of us students will meet on the first day of class excited to see each other and apprehensive too because both of our professors are well-respected in their fields nationally. Next term, I imagine the camaraderie will pull us through the classes once again as we ask questions we consider hard to answer on our own yet no-brainers to the professor and our other classmates. Next term, I am looking forward to pushing myself to the best of my abilities and who knows, maybe even earn a 4.0 for it?