t least 42 journalists from different media outlets are facing libel suits filed by First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said.
 
The organization said the cases highlight both "the predicament of journalists who risk imprisonment when reporting on controversial issues, particularly those involving powerful individuals" and the "need for the decriminalization of libel to allow greater room for open debate and public discussion of socially relevant issues."
 
The latest to be slapped with charges by Arroyo are columnist Ramon Tulfo and the editorial staff of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the tabloid Bandera in which Tulfo's column "On Target" appears.
 
The NUJP, which has been waging a campaign for greater press freedom and an end to media killings, said the "decriminalization of libel will strengthen the safeguards on free speech and expression and promote free flow of information - ingredients necessary in a democracy which we claim to enjoy."
 
To address the situation and discuss how best to wage the campaign for libel's decriminalization, the NUJP is inviting journalists to a roundtable on Thursday, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Balay Kalinaw of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, chairman Jose Torres Jr. and secretary general Rowena Carranza-Paraan said.
 
Among those invited are the accused journalists, lawyers "to help us make sense of the laws concerned, and academe leaders to share insights on world trends on libel."
 
The NUJP list the following journalists who face libel suits from the First Gentleman, according to the media outfits they are connected with and the items for which they were charged:
 
Newsbreak ("More Properties," Dec. 8, 2005 issue)

1. Marites Vitug (editor-in-chief)
2. Glenda Gloria (associate editor)
3. Ricky Carandang (business editor)
4. R. E. Otico (editorial consultant)
5. Jose Dalisay Jr. (editorial consultant)
6. Booma Cruz (contributing editor)

Newsbreak ("Will she now change?" June 7, 2004 issue)
7. Concepcion Paez (contributing writer)

Malaya ("Poe's Camp says Mike is Chief Cheating Operator," May 19, 2004 )

8. JP Lopez (reporter)
9. Regina Bengco (reporter)
10. Amado Macasaet (publisher)
11. Enrique Romualdez (executive editor)
12. Joy de los Reyes (editor in chief)
13. Ma. Teresa Molina (managing editor)
14. Minnie Advincula (news editor)
15. Ellen Tordesillas (chief of reporters)
 
Malaya ("First Couple's idea of charity," July 9, 2004 , "Business Insight" column by Macasaet)
Amado Macasaet (publisher)
16. Rosario Galang (business editor)
 
Inquirer (14 counts, Tulfo's column "On Target" that appeared on Jan. 14, 17, and 26; March 9 and 23; May 23, June 17, and Aug. 3, 2006)

17. Ramon Tulfo (columnist)
18. Isagani Yambot (publisher)
19. Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc (editor in chief)
20. Jose Ma. Nolasco (managing editor)
21. Abelardo Ulanday (associate editor)
22. Rosario Garcellano (associate editor for readership)
23. Artemio Engracia Jr. (news editor)
24. Jorge Aruta (opinion editor)
25. Pergentino Bandayrel Jr. (national editor)
26. Juan Sarmiento (senior desk editor)
 
Bandera (six counts, Tulfo's column "On Target" that appeared on Jan. 26; May 23 and 27; June 6, 8, and 17, 2006)

27. Eileen Mangubat (publisher)
28. Beting Laygo Dolor (editor in chief)
29. Jimmy Alcantara (associate editor)
30. Raymond Rivera (circulation manager)
 
Tribune (stories where Tatad was quoted as saying Arroyo was his wife's "chief cheater," May 14, 16, 17, and 18, 2004)
 
31. Ninez Cacho-Olivares (editor in chief)
32. Romulo Mariñas (news editor)
33. Gina Capili-Inciong (city editor)
34. Jake Martin (construction editor)
35. Marvin Estigoy (advertising manager)
36. Gerry Baldo (reporter)
37. Sherwin Olaes (reporter)
38. Lito Tugadi (circulation manager)
39. Jing Santos (subscription manager)
 
(For accusing Mike Arroyo of influencing RPN-9 network to axe " Isumbong Mo , Tulfo brothers during a press conference in Quezon City on Aug. 2, 2006 )

(Ramon Tulfo)
40. Erwin Tulfo
41. Raffy Tulfo

INQ7.net ("How to Solve A Problem like Mike Arroyo," July 5, 2004 , High Ground column)
42. William Esposo