NEWSFLASH

PAMPANGA JOURNALISTS UP IN ARMS VS. CLARK P.R.

Clark Field, Pampanga, March 22, 2000 - Three Pampanga press associations are demanding the ouster of Wilhelmina Paras, an official of the Clark Development Corporation, for her arrogant attitude towards provincial newsmen and boasting that she is close enough to editors of Manila newspapers to "kill" any adverse stories about CDC.

The Pampanga-based journalists staged a lightning protest rally the other day, led by veteran news reporters and radio commentators. With placards expressing their demands, the group trooped to Paras’ office chanting “Oust Paras.”

CDC president Sergio Naguiat assured the rallyists that he will give full attention to their demands. He also denied earlier rumors that Paras has been appointed vice president for media affairs.

“No official appointment has been released yet for Paras as VP for media affairs,” he told reporters.

The protest rally was in reaction to a local paper’s banner story on a letter of Paras castigating the local press for being “unfriendly” to her and by extension, to the CDC president.

“I have my friends in the national media—the very bosses of the local correspondents —and the international media, where I used to belong, to help me out,” her letter said.

Paras' letter was prompted by a published news report and a commentary that she had considered inaccurate and one-sided.

She dared “anyone to be able to say truthful negative things about my family and my own accomplishments,” and proceeded to detail her credentials: editor of a school publication at 14, first honor in elementary school, first honor student in high school, cum laude Philosophy graduate of University of Sto. Tomas, and correspondent of Asiaweek.

Jerry Bacuarta, chairman of the Provincial Press Committee of the National Press Club, said he will not allow Paras to insult provincial journalists and will not give her any opportunity to interfere in the free exercise of their profession.

The Pampanga Press Club has issued a manifesto declaring Paras “an enemy” of the Pampanga press because she is “short of respect for free reportage and dangled the Damocles sword on ‘unfriendly’ journalists through her self-proclaimed pervasive influence over the Manila news desks.”

Copies of the manifesto are being sent to President Estrada, Vice President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo, Senate President Blas Ople, House Speaker Manuel Villar, Press Secretary Rodolfo Reyes, the National Press Club, National Union of Journalists, the Central Luzon Media Association, and the Pampanga Mayors League.