Panayam kay PTFoMS Executive Director Usec. Paul Gutierrez
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00:00 This is the preparation that will be done for the visit of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Irene Kan.
00:11 We are joined by Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez, Executive Director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security.
00:20 Jose Paul, good afternoon to you.
00:22 Good afternoon to all of us and thank you for the invitation.
00:27 This is the visit of Ms. Irene Kan of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression.
00:35 What is the importance and reason for this visit?
00:40 For those who do not know or are not familiar, what does it mean when a UN Special Rapporteur goes to a country?
00:48 First of all, this visit is not related to the investigation of the International Criminal Court.
01:02 This visit of Ms. Irene Kan is an opportunity to highlight the truth that the Philippines is a country that is strong in protecting human rights, especially in our freedom of expression.
01:21 This visit will give us a flag to raise all over the world to show that we are not just critics, but we are also active in the fight for freedom of expression in our country.
01:43 Good afternoon, Jose Paul. Jose Paul, what are the preparations being made by the Presidential Task Force on Media Security for the visit of the UN official?
01:53 Thank you for that question. I'm glad to inform you that since last year, around October, when we were informed that Ms. Irene Kan will be coming,
02:06 we have already talked to the agencies that she wants to visit, especially the Department of Justice.
02:14 She also wants to talk to the DILG, even the Supreme Court, and the leaders of our Congress.
02:22 Even if it's a particular place that she wants to visit, like Baguio, Cebu, Tacloban, we have already coordinated with the officials in the places mentioned.
02:36 And we will try, as a good host as we are, we are known for our hospitality, we will try to make her visit the visit of not only productive, but also comfortable for all.
02:49 Okay, so how long is she going to be here, sir?
02:53 Well, she will be arriving on January 22 and she will be staying until February 2.
02:59 Okay, so about 10 days.
03:01 So, she will be staying in our country for about 10 days. And we hope that she will accommodate all her requests to talk and the places that she wants to visit.
03:13 Okay, so the people that she wants to talk to, one of them is Laila de Lima.
03:21 Yes, and in this matter, we think that this should not be controversial because when she sent her communication that she wants to talk to the former Senator Laila de Lima, she was in prison.
03:37 Now, we have shown that she is free, although temporarily. So, we think that this will not be an issue.
03:46 Besides, I want to stress that our administration does not hide anything when it comes to protecting the right of the people and the freedom of our country.
03:55 So, we think that we should not be afraid or nervous about this visit.
04:01 So, besides that, who are the notable personalities and departments? You mentioned the House of Representatives.
04:11 Yes, we are trying to talk to Speaker Martin Arnualde. Of course, our Chairman of the PTO Forms, Secretary Boying, the head of the Department of Justice, will be there.
04:24 We understand that the NTF Elcock officials also want to talk to our National Security Cluster.
04:35 And all the officials that you mentioned are ready to talk to Ms. Irene Can.
04:45 Usec Paul, do you have an idea of what issues or topics you want to discuss from this visit? And what issues should she address?
04:57 Well, of course, based on her mandate, freedom of opinion and expression, we see that she will know what the administration has done for these critical issues.
05:16 And we're happy to tell her and to inform the world that the task force that was created by the previous administration was better than our President Bongbong Marcos,
05:27 who retained the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, if only to show his commitment, his administration's commitment to press freedom.
05:36 Okay, and I understand this is the third time that a UN Special Rapporteur is going to visit the Philippines during the term of President Bongbong Marcos Jr.
05:48 Yes, that's right. It's good that you mentioned that. I'm pleased to inform everyone that since 2007 up to the last administration,
05:58 only three visits of the UN Special Rapporteur have happened to us. In 2007, in the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, one.
06:07 In 2015, in the administration of President Naynay Aquino, two. And here in the administration of President Marcos Jr.,
06:17 in less than two years, only three rapporteurs have visited our country. This shows that our government is not hiding anything when it comes to issues related to human rights.
06:29 It only shows how they feel the commitment and support of our administration. So I think that's a very good thing.
06:37 Usec Paul, please give a message to our fellow countrymen who are watching us now.
06:47 Well, to our fellow countrymen, this visit should be seen as an opportunity to show the sincerity of the Marcos administration
06:56 and to show the sensitivity of the human rights and freedom of expression. And we will try to show to our visitors how hospitable we are, how accommodating we are.
07:09 And even though we see some criticisms, I just want to give an emphasis here on the truth that we have a functioning judicial system,
07:20 we have ongoing processes, even though there are some weaknesses. We are still working on addressing these weaknesses until we fix the whole system and process.
07:35 Alright. Thank you very much for your time under Secretary Paul Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security.
07:46 Thank you very much.
07:47 Thank you, sir.