Help ensure free elections, democracy mediamen urged
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. asked members of the media on Thursday to help ensure the conduct of clean, honest, and transparent midterm elections next year and safeguard the country’s democracy.
Speaking during the 50th Top Level Management Conference (TLMC) organized by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster the Pilipinas (KBP) in Tagaytay City, President Marcos renewed his commitment to protect journalists as he shared the summit’s objectives of building trust and safeguarding Philippine democracy.
“I urge you to remain steadfast in these principles that protect the trust bestowed to all of us by the Filipino people,” the President said, underscoring the importance of KBP’s partnership with the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) to help promote and ensure clean, honest, and transparent 2025 elections.
“Let us also explore new and creative ways to engage and inspire the public. We need a citizenry that is not only informed but is also actively involved—vigilant, ready to defend the values that we hold dear,” he said.
Renewing government’s commitment to protect the rights and welfare of media practitioners, President Marcos said the government has strengthened its resolve in safeguarding the lives of media personnel and practitioners under the helm of the newly appointed head of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) Executive Director Jose A. Torres.
The President directed the PTFOMS, chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Justice, to ramp up and intensify their operations in relation to the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.
“In particular, I asked the PTFOMS to focus their efforts on the members of the local media, whose fearless coverage makes them particularly vulnerable to threats against life, liberty, and security,” he said.
“I have also directed the PTFOMS to intensify and strengthen partnerships with the media, such as the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), the National Press Club (NPC), the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), and other concerned groups.”
The government will continue to support journalists in defending the truth and addressing the demands of a modern press, the President said, as he called for unity to push for credible and unfettered press under the Bagong Pilipinas. PCO
