Thanks but no
thanks,
say accused journalists
MALAYA publisher Amado "Jake" Macasaet said
he objects to the withdrawal of the libel case against him, the
editors and the reporters of Malaya.
"It is my determination to get a verdict
based on the merits of the case and not on the mercy of the
complainant, First Gentleman Mike Arroyo. I will not owe my
freedom to him," he said.
Macasaet, in a separate statement issued as
chairman of the Philippine Press Institute said: "We wish First
Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo did not opt to drop the slew of
libel charges he had filed against newspapermen for stories
which we believe were true and accurate and for commentaries
which we believe were fair and involved issues which were of
public interest.
