Romualdez made the commitment during his speech at the 67th anniversary of the Pampanga Press Club (PPC) on Wednesday at The Encore of the Century Hotel here.
Romualdez said that as senator, the passage of the FOI bill would be among his top priority as a measure against corruption in government. This, even as he lamented the growing number of unsolved killings of media practitioners.
Romualdez also commended the PPC “for your part in educating our voters.”
He said “the campaign period is intended for the candidates to make known their qualifications and platforms; and for voters to be equipped with the right information to enable them to make intelligent and wise choices.”
“Journalism should not be a dangerous profession,” Romualdez said, noting the rising number of unsolved murder cases involving members of the media.
“I will strengthen the Press Shield Law or Sotto law under Republic Act No. 53 (as amended by RA No. 1477) to include harsher punishments for crimes committed against media practitioners in an attempt to silence our press,” he said.
“Criminal acts oppressing the freedom of speech and the press are heinous crimes that have no place in our democracy. The hovering fear for their personal safety or from vindictive retribution has a chilling effect on our sacrosanct right to speak, be heard and break news stories,” Romualdez said.
“I stand firmly behind the protection of the freedom of the press — aimed at the promotion of the free flow of ideas and information to encourage intelligent discourse among the people,” he added.
“I will work towards Freedom of Information for all,” Romualdez said as he pointed out that his platform of concern (malasakit) encompasses these advocacies.
“Ang kailangan natin: Ibalik ang malasakit sa bayan,” he said.
