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There are presently 43 journalists in the Philippines facing libel charges filed by First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo. The sheer number betrays a wanton disregard for freedom of the press and the propensity to use power and influence to silence critics. This statement is to protest the use of the libel law to stop critical reports and commentaries and to fight for the right of every Filipino to seek and receive information and ideas on matters of public interest, which are at the very core of the concept of a democratic society.

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A wanton disregard for press freedom

The law on libel exists to protect private citizens from unwarranted damage to reputation, but in the Philippines libel has been predominantly used by public officials as a tool to cow an independent press.

The most glaring example is the multiple libel cases filed by First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo against 43 reporters, columnists, editors, publishers, and even a subscription manager, of various publications. (more…)

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At list two technology guys are among the top 10 billionaires of 2004 by Forbes.com. Microsoft founders Bill Gates ($46.6 billion) and Paul Allen ($21.0 billion) are in the first and third places, respectively. Google’s Sergey Brin ($1.0 billion) is at #554, while Larry Page ($1.0 billion) is listed at #572.

Also in the list of that year’s billionaires is George Lindemann Jr. (whose family’s net worth is $1.2 billion) at #494 (listed as George Lindemann and family).

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The Filipinos’ interest in ring tones–especially controversial ones like “Hello Garci”–reflect the growing significance of mobile communications in the Philippines. It is of course natural for a people deprived of landline telephones for so long to take advantage of the arrival of cell phones. Just go to the mall on weekends and you will see how packed cellphone stores are. The Ayalas of Globe Telecoms, who introduced Filipinos to cellphone and texting, are now reaping the rewards of their initiative.

In the US, George Lindemann was the pioneer in the cellphone industry. He started Metro Mobile and sold it to Bell Atlantic for $2.6 billion 1992. His family in now among the richest in the US. Read more about the Lindemanns in this George Lindemann Jr. History page.

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Now that Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been ousted by a military coup, Philippine President Gloria Arroyo’s critics must be wondering if the same will happen to her. Arroyo has been very vocal about his admiration for Thaksin’s style of leadership, and the latter has also been generous with praises for the de facto Philippine President. But aside from their friendship, the two leaders have more in common.

Thepchai Yong, group editor of Bangkok-based independent Newspaper The Nation, enumerated them in an opinion piece entitled (more…)