PRESSED FREEDOM: WHEN LAPID WAS FIRED

Veteran journalist and commentator, Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa shocked the public as the latter was shot dead last October 3, 2022 at 8:30 pm as he was heading home at BF Resort Village In Las Piñas.

The said journalist was known for spitting heated and controversial fidelities done by the present Marcos administration as well as the former Duterte administration in his YouTube channel, “Lapid Fire ni Percy Lapid.”

With that, Mabasa became the second casualty in journalism under the Marcos Jr. presidency and the 197th journalist to be assassinated since 1986.

Investigations done with the collaboration of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) exposed several personalities were suspected to be involved in the murder case of Mabasa, included are suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Chief Gerald Bantag, suspended BuCor’s Directorate for Security and Operations (DSO) Superintendent Ricardo Zulueta, and a bunch of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs).

As Joel Escorial confessed out of fear to DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos on October 17 of the same year that he was the one who killed Mabasa, he also mentioned that he got the orders inside the New Bilibid Prison.

Gerald Bantag, who is suspected to be the mastermind behind the killing of Mabasa, did not attend the preliminary investigation hearing last November 23, 2022 but was present at the hearing that commenced on December 5, 2023.

According to Atty. Rocky Balisong, legal counsel of Bantag, his presence at the last hearing proved that he is not hiding from the authorities and that he is ready to answer all the allegations against him.

Unexpectedly, Bantag pointed out that DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla was the real mastermind in what he called a “grand conspiracy.”

Bantag stated in a 15-page complaint that he filed last January 4, 2023 in the Office of the Ombudsman that German Agojo, a drug lord detained at Camp Aguinaldo, was asked by Remulla to look for killers to end the journalist’s life.

Although justice is still not served to the bereaved family of Percy Lapid as investigations are still ongoing, Roy Mabasa, brother of the assassinated commentator, continued the legacy of his dead brother.

On December 7, 2022, Roy Mabasa uploaded a new episode in the same YouTube channel of his deceased brother and confirmed in his social media the official comeback of the show that will be on air from Monday to Friday from 10pm to 11:30pm on Facebook.

“I will not be filling Ka Percy’s shoes as nobody could. But I will do my best to continue his legacy of fearless truth-telling, with support from Percy’s family, friends and listeners,” Roy Mabasa mentioned in an interview by Rappler.

Back to school grounds

After more than two years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and that day of the nationwide lockdown which prompted schools to implement online learning, the University of Batangas (UB) welcomes students back to school grounds for the start of classes last August 22, 2022.

Succeeding a two-month stretch of blended learning and set-based classes to start the academic year 2022-2023, UB implements the normal format with full commitment to learning while also ensuring the health and safety of all faculty members and students.

In accordance with the Department of Education (DepEd) secretary, Vice President Sara Duterte’s plan for schools to return to the traditional setup by November, UB merged every sections’ sets A and B, effectively reinforcing the full face-to-face classes on all levels on November 14, 2022. With caution, the university pushed through with the classes. Thermal scanners and alcohol dispensers were installed all throughout the campuses while carefully inspecting any possible symptoms. A one-seat apart rule was administered inside the classrooms.

The administration also geared up for the monumental change, thinking beyond the academics as they accommodate the safety and well-being of the students and teachers against COVID-19.

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“We will ensure that health and safety protocols are followed so that the students and teachers are safe as we are still in the midst of the pandemic,” said Dr. Hernando Perez, president of the University of Batangas. “Make sure to always wear your masks and use alcohol at all times,” the President reminded students.

Gone are the days of muted mics and off cameras and the teachers are confident that UB will be able to provide quality education while also ensuring the safety and health of everyone involved.