NUJP objects to defense lawyer’s warning vs media
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has called out Duterte defense lawyer Mark Vinluan over his warning that journalists may be held criminally liable under the Anti-Money Laundering Act (Amla).
In a statement, the NUJP said it “does not take attempts to silence and intimidate journalists, whether unintended or not, lightly” and that his “unintended” intimidation cannot curtail media’s right to report on suspicious transactions or corruption involving public officials.
In Monday’s hearing of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, Vinluan cited penalties for violating rules governing financial confidentiality under the Amla while questioning Anti-Money Laundering Council secretariat Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura.
He apologized the next day, saying it was never his intention to intimidate the senator-judges.
