Critical press part of PHL democracy—Pangilinan

Sen. Francis Pangilinan on Friday said that it is part of Philippine democracy for any President to be at the receiving end of a critical press. (Photo: Kiko Pangilinan/Facebook)

MANILA— Sen. Francis Pangilinan on Friday said that it is part of Philippine democracy for any President to be at the receiving end of a critical press.

Pangilinan made this statement in reaction to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte recently slamming two media outlets claiming that they had been unfair in their coverage of him.

Pres. Duterte particularly mentioned national broadsheet Philippine Daily Inquirer and TV station ABS-CBN.

“Our individual freedoms and our democracy are better served by a free and critical press. It is part of our democracy for presidents to be at the receiving end of a critical press,” Pangilinan said.

The senator pointed out that many presidents before have had their share of “squaring off with the press.”

He said that while Presidents have left Malacanang, the press “is still very much around.”