NUJP decries normalization of vulgarity, harassment after Ramon Tulfo's crude comment on Mariz Umali during ICC coverage
The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines decried the normalization of vulgarity and harassment after columnist Ramon Tulfo made crude criticisms against GMA News reporter Mariz Umali amid false claims that she called former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea "matanda."
"The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines condemns Tulfo's comments—made, ironically, on National Women's Month — and reminds him that the profession and society have evolved since the 1970s and 1980s," the NUJP said in a statement on March 21. "The comments against Umali—and Tulfo's is just one among many—are reflective of online harassment against journalists and media outlets covering the developments at the ICC."
The organization noted that the issue surrounding former president Rodrigo Duterte's arrest for trial at the International Criminal Court is contentious and polarizing, and acknowledged that journalists covering it are at risk of facing backlash.
While "[e]arnest negative feedback and bad faith trolling have become a part of the job, and a part that colleagues have come to expect," the NUJP noted that it's "less expected" for such things to come from "a former colleague," pertaining to Tulfo.
It noted that his comment was "vulgar, demeaning, and done without proper investigation or even introspection."
The NUJP added that it was "crass, embarrassing, and unbecoming," and "may lead to more online harassment of Umali."
"Most colleagues have learned to shake these off but incidents like these should not be normalized," the NUJP said.
It also noted the recent incident involving Atenews, the official student publication of Ateneo de Davao University, which pro-Duterte blogger Tio Moreno attacked and red-tagged after it posted a joint statement with other university outlets supporting Duterte's arrest.
"When that treatment extends to members of the campus press," the NUJP said, "it must be condemned."
"NUJP recognizes that emotions are high during this tense time but also points out the disconnect between calling for respect for the rights of one person while directing threats at others, at the expense of their rights and their safety," it added.
'Misheard'
Umali, who was in The Hague in the Netherlands to cover Duterte's arrest, posted a video of Medialdea on a stretcher.
Medialdea, who represented Duterte in the ICC pre-trial hearing on March 14, was rushed to the hospital during a scheduled visit to the former president on March 18.
A "certain vlogger," according to Umali, circulated the video and criticized her for supposedly calling Medialdea "matanda."
Umali, in a Facebook post on March 19, debunked the already-viral accusation, calling it "inaccurate."
"What I actually said was, “Tingnan mo 'yung mata niya, nakabukas siya nung una pero nung nakita niya ako, pinikit," she said. “It is obvious that I was misheard. I want to be clear that no disrespect was intended toward Former Executive Secretary Medialdea.”
Tulfo, however, on March 20 shared an art card of a report about the issue with the caption, "Tatanda ka rin, hija. At pagdating ng araw na yun pati k*pyas mo kukulubot."
"Isa lang ang ibig kong iparating diyan: No matter what you feel about someone who's sick, don't laugh at them. Magbo-boomerang sa iyo ang tawa mo," he also said in a comment on his post.
'This is a pattern'
The International Association of Women in Radio and Television Philippines also came to Umali's defense, condemning "the latest attempts to discredit Filipino women journalists" covering the issue.
"The online firestorm that followed was laced with misogyny and vitriol. Even Ramon Tulfo, brother of a senator, took part, posting a remark so vile it defies decency," the IAWRT said in a statement. "This is a pattern."
The organization also noted that journalists Zen Hernandez and Gretchen Ho, who are also covering Duterte's ICC arrest, "have been targeted too."
"Their crime? Doing their jobs," it said. "As women journalists, we stand together. This must stop."
"Harassment is not criticism; it is an attempt to silence. And a press under attack is a democracy at risk," it added. "Their voices matter. Their work matters. And their safety must be protected."
PhilSTAR L!fe reached out to Tulfo for comment but has yet to receive a reply.
