A PATHETIC AND RIDICULOUS DECISION

Methinks the MTRCB quite seriously erred in imposing a "20-day preventive suspension" on the Tulfo brothers' T3 news program at TV Channel 5.  I strongly doubt that the MTRCB has consulted their lawyers before they arrive at that decision; or if they did, then there is reason to believe their lawyers should rather go back to law school. The MTRCB has clearly acted unconstitutionally.

True, a preventive suspension is not necessarily a punishment; it is merely imposed to prevent "something" that the person accused may do while the case is being studied and evaluated.  But what "something" is the MTRCB trying to prevent?  That the Tulfos may again repeat their threats to the Baretto-Santiago couple?  Then, why prevent them for only 20 days?  Or does the MTRCB believe that after 20 days the T3 will never repeat what they did?  I believe "preventive suspension" is out of place in this case.

That 20-day suspension may be either shortened or made permanent, depending on the MTRCB's final decision on the TR case, but subject to a very big IF.  That is, if it has the legal right or mandate to regulate news and public affairs program.  The thing is, the MTRCB has no jurisdiction to suspend a News and Public Service program, such as the T3; it does have jurisdiction only on entertainment programs. In this particular case, its was the Tulfo brothers who, urged by natural emotions -- who would not be seeing a brother being mangled by too many hands -- had erred in their personal capacities. Channel 5 had already lost no time suspending for five days the appearance of the three not only in their particular T3 program but also in all other Channel 5 programs they usually appear.  Shouldn't that be enough penalty.  The Tulfos have also already apologized to the Bareto-Santiagos in public.  What more does the MTRCB wants. 

Still, the Santiago-Bareto couple  may not be prevented to proceed with charging the Tulfo brothers in the proper courts of law, maybe for grave threats or what not.  No one may prevent them from doing so.  But as journalists, the Tulfo brothers do have the inviolable constitutional  right to continue broadcasting news especially in a public service program. 

In summing up, the MTRCB's 20-day suspension of the Tulfo brothers' TR program has no basis either in sheer logic or in the laws of the land.  That decision is not only pathetic; it is also ridiculous and laughable! I am sure a TRO is forthcoming against it.