at war against the enemies of press freedom

Thursday last week, I accompanied our lawyer, Toto Causing, in filing graft charges against GSIS officials before the Ombudsman. The National Press Club, where I presently sit as one of the directors, supports the move of Toto in seeking just punishment against Winston Garcia and his minions (who include, by the way, CORRUPT journalists). But the cases were filed only against the GSIS officials. It involves the question on who really owned the National Press Club lot and building at the foot of Jones Bridge in Manila. The Greedy Service and Insurance System claims they owned it through an auction in 1975 when the NPC then failed to pay its tax arrears. But they refused to acknowledge the fact that then President Marcos issued Letter of INsturction 500, a law, which conveyed the property to the NPC. Half of the property was given tot he GSIS as payment for the NC's debts. Yet, the GSIS wanted more. In fact, it wanted everything. Whew! Typical Winston Garcia. How much did this guy earn from the Parisian Life rebates? Ask Atty. Causing.
We are now at the frontline of a war. We are goping to fight this monster to the last drop of our blood and sweat. We cannot allow them to take away what is ours. The symbol that has perenially served as the beacon of liberty in this part of the world. The NPC building is not just a building. It is an institution. The very institution that guarantees that, indeed, press freedom exists in this country. If we cared less for the next generation, why would we waste time fighting this legal battle?
GSIS, so blatant in its sinister efforts to claim the NPC properties, even charged us for qualified theft over the sale of the Manansala Mural. Yes, we sold the mural for ten million pesos so we can save the Club. Pay its gargantuan debts. Improve its age-old facilities etc. But most of the money remain intact in the bank. GSIS' Garcia is living in denial. If there was a thief among us, it'S ONLY HIM. The NPC owns what it owns. Anyway, I'll just leave the rest of the story to the courts. I'm sure a lot will be written about the case. I'd just copoy and paste them sometime.. Till then...