Other side of the story

There are two sides of a story. The recent hullaballoo over what happened noontime of June 7, 2011 at the DzRK Radyo ng bayan, Bualnao, Tabuk City, Kalinga is a disturbing one. It even caught the attention of Malacañang. The mainstream media issued left and right statements condemning the incident, particularly the alleged inappropriate action of Gov. Jocel C. Baac. The mainstream media have already said a lot the past few days about the story side of Mr. Jerome Tabanganay. Still, the governor was not given enough space to explain his side. This is acknowledged even by Malacañang hence, it directed the DILG to conduct an impartial and objective investigation.

In the name of fairness, below is the full text of the statement of explanation of Gov. Baac regarding the incident, which was read just this morning over Radyo Natin – Tabuk by no less than the Provincial Administrator, Grace Kidang-Flores.

STATEMENT OF EXPLANATION

At this very moment I assumed that you have heard already about the incident at the DZRK Radyo ng Bayan during the Agenda Program yesterday afternoon. That there is no truth that I intentionally hit Mr. Jerome Tabanganay with a microphone and that he suffered cuts and bruises on his face as reported by him. What happened was that his lips may have been accidentally hit when I got from behind the microphone in front of him for the purpose of stopping him for I could no longer endure his personal attack upon my person and the Kapehan body of which I am the chairman. His uncorrected act of irresponsible broadcasting and unfair way in handling the Agenda Program of the DZRK Radyo ng Bayan, Tabuk is already damaging to the image of the province which the provincial government is trying to uplift through its various development programs. It should be noted that the Provincial Government volunteered to shoulder the cost of repair of the transmitter tower of the DZRK previously destroyed by typhoon in order that the radio station will assist the provincial government in promoting its various programs especially our tourism program.

This irresponsible and unfair way of Mr. Tabanganay in handling the Agenda program and in his indiscriminate act of airing unverified text messages which are damaging in nature was already brought out during the Kapehan sa Kapitolyo last May 2, 2011. The Kapehan members suggested to the Manager that the Anchorman of the agenda program should verify first the veracity of the text messages and to give opportunity to his subjects to explain or give their side to a certain matter or issue before he will air and give comment.

That there were also suggestions to the Manager of DZRK that the Agenda program be abolished but the manager responded that he cannot do it for reason that the Agenda program is patterned after the national program of the Radyo ng Bayan. A member of the Kapehan suggested to the manager to change the anchorman. The manager answered that he requested Mr. Tabanganay to give way to other staff to anchor the Agenda program but the latter insisted that he will continue to be the anchorman. Nevertheless, he informed that if the Kapehan has a problem or question with the agenda program, they can request anytime for a recorded copy of the airings of the agenda program.

That despite the suggestions and comments brought to the manager of the radio ng bayan by the Kapehan body, Mr. Tabanganay continued his irresponsible broadcasting and unfair way of handling the agenda program and the worst on May 24, 2011, Mr. Tabanganay was even convincing the New People's Army (NPA) to open their cellphones so that they could talk relative to the apprehension of jueteng cobradors and so that he can submit the names of these cobradors. His act in acknowledging on air the authority and ability of the NPA to implement government duties and responsibilities has no good effect but only to cause our people to lose faith to the government and it will mislead our people to think that the NPAs are better than the elements of the Government. These should never countenance or tolerate, otherwise the government will lose its standing over its people.

That on June 7, 2011, he was again airing false information that Manager Baluyan of DZRK was scolded and insulted during the June 6, 2011 Kapehan sa Kapitolyo making it appear that the Kapehan is not a credible body.

There was no truth that I or the Kapehan body scolded or insulted Manager Basilio Baluyan of DZRK Radyo ng Bayan during the Kapehan at the Capitol last June 6, 2011 as repeatedly being announced by Mr. Tabanganay in the Agenda Program of the Radyo ng Bayan. What really happened during the Kapehan meeting during the review of the minutes of the May 2, 2011 Kapehan, Mr. Baluyan requested me as chairman of the Kapehan body that his statement on the said minutes be changed because that was not his statement and I replied that the request cannot be granted because it was really his statement but Mr. Baluyan was allowed to explain and correct his statement during the issues arising from the minutes portion because that is the most appropriate part of the meeting that he can explain what he really mean to say during the May Kapehan.

Perhaps there was a time during the course of the said Kapehan meeting that I raised my voice but it was purely for the purpose of emphasizing something important or crucial and not for the purpose of maligning a persons or any other purpose. Those who are present during that Kapehan meeting can attest to what really had happened.

The continued act of Mr. Tabanganay in acknowledging and encouraging the participation of the NPA to implement government duties and responsibilities and airing false information that makes it appear that the Kapehan which is composed by all the department heads of both the Local and National line agencies in the Province of Kalinga is not a credible body is a serious matter which really affects the peace and order situation of the province of which I am responsible being the governor of the province.

All these prompted me to go to the DZRK radio station on June 7, 2011 purposely to talked to Mr. Tabanganay of his irresponsible and unfair attitude and at the same time to talk to him so that he will be more circumspect and balanced in his reporting considering that there was no effort from the DZRK management to check Mr. Tabanganay despite the many complaints brought to the manager.

I do not have any intention to hurt Mr. Tabanganay in any way. My purpose was to sit down with him to answer the issues or text messages being attributed to me but upon entering the booth he arrogantly said “APAY?” which prompted me to get the Mic so that our conversation will not be aired live. He insisted and grabbed the other Mic to continue airing but I got hold of the same and then my companions came to usher me outside the booth.

Mr. Tabanganay should have inquired before hand from Manager Baluyan himself or any members of the Kapehan relative to the truthfulness of the said information or report so that he could have avoided broadcasting false and damaging statements.

I know that my presence in the Radyo Ng Bayan might have caused inconvenience to the people who were there but my purpose in going there was for the good of the Province and our people.

Rest assured that I will stand firm in my advocacy for good governance, true and balanced reporting and fair in bringing information to the people.

Thank you.

Peace be with you! Let us move on...

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Happy birthday to Kenji and Nicolle. God bless!

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