Defender of press freedom, democracy

Defender of press freedom, democracy

LETTY JIMENEZ MAGSANOC: Passionate, Dedicated, Inspiring

Philippine Daily Inquirer Editor-in-Chief writes 30

LJM never wrote 30

We join countless others  in deeply mourning the passing of a giant and omnipresent icon of press freedom. Letty Jimenez Magsanoc was not only fearless in her views, passionate in her work but also served as an inspiration to generations including lawyers who are likewise human rights defenders like herself. She was uncannily unassuming for a giant in the profession.

After all, she carved a niche in her inimitable way by standing up against the dictatorship and all forms of reinvented tyranny and parrying the slings and arrows from the powerful trying to undermine freedom of expression in general and freedom of speech and press in particular.

Under her able stewardship, we were virtual kindred spirits in the struggle for human rights and against corruption, assiduously standing by us in issues like the Morong 43 health workers case, the campaign in the UN and elsewhere against extrajudicial killings and disappearances, and the inhumanity against the downtrodden like Andrea Rosal. Under her watch, we were essentially one in cutting down to size remorseless and pompous butchers like retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan and in saving from the gallows innocent lambs like Mary Jane Veloso.

The list of convergence is long even as healthy divergences pop up like hiccups every now and then on other issues.

But in the end, LJM was the true defender of the oppressed, a compliment she personally extended to us herself which we shall immensely cherish and honor by continuing to carry the torch to fight the good fight as she did.
LJM never indeed wrote 30.

— National Union of People’s Lawyers

—————————————————————

An indefatigable defender of press freedom and democracy

The Makabayan Coalition is one with the nation in expressing its deep sorrow and sense of loss at the death of Letty Jimenez Magsanoc, editor in chief of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and indefatigable defender of press freedom and democracy.

We fondly remember the many times we were treated to Letty’s disarmingly inquisitive nature, her genuine interest in the affairs of the Left and the mass movement in general, and her concern for the marginalized and the voiceless in society. We could always be assured of her respect, her open mindedness and her readiness to defend our right to express and fight for our views.

To us, Letty and her body of work epitomized the fine libertarian tradition of the Philippine press. She was a journalist par excellence who ensured fairness and balance in reportage but who never shied away from taking a principled stance on issues affecting our people, even if it meant fighting an uphill battle. She was a spearhead against tyranny and dictatorship, and a dependable ally in the fight for human rights, genuine democracy, national sovereignty, and public accountability.

Letty’s death has left a void in the media and in our collective hearts. But it is a void that many others can and should fill. It is our hope that the expressions of sorrow and tribute given to Letty might inspire present and future journalists to take the same path that she took.

Paalam at pagpugay, Letty Jimenez Magsanoc. Tauspusong nagpapasalamat kami sa buhay mong inalay para sa sambayanang Pilipino.

Teddy Casiño
Makabayan Coalition
December 28, 2015