Bong Go’s Senate offensive

vantage over seasoned journalists is probably their expensive gadgets, must have realized by now that picking on Bong Go was a wrong move. Bong Go’s appearance at the Senate hearing on the controversy was perfect political theater. In an unprecedented show of force, prominent Cabinet secretaries were inside the session room, even as Go’s supporters rallied outside the Senate building.

But all eyes were on Bong Go, as he calmly and in a very composed manner totally eviscerated Rappler and to a lesser extent the

In a very undramatic fashion, Go undressed the pretensions of these two media organizations which have been parading themselves as enemies of fake news, and revealed them as the ones who propagate fakery and yellow journalism.

The contrast, particularly when seen in the light of the theatrics and dramatics of some senators, left Senator Trillanes pitifully trying to connect Go to some kind of corruption, even as Senator Hontiveros struggled, and failed, to frame her interventions into a proper question. The anticipated explosives that were expected to be hurled against Bong Go turned out to be duds, with Rappler and being the ones getting hit instead.

But lest we get lost in the euphoria of the moment, there are things that we should remain wary about.

pieces of information landed in the hands of Rappler, and apparently, of Senator Trillanes. This is a crucial question to ask, considering that the matters that have been leaked are on issues that may have national security implications.

Obviously, it is easy to suspect that the source would have probably been from the ranks of the Philippine Navy, some of whose prominent heads expressed their reservations on the terms and conditions of the FAP, particularly on which provider will be chosen to install the combat management system (CMS) on the frigate.

in any organization. But high standards of discipline and professionalism are expected from our men and women in the armed services, and it is dangerous when internal organizational disputes lead to leakage of documents that are now used as fodder by yellow journalists and disgruntled senators to wage a proxy war against the President through his Special Assistant.

Senator Lacson asked Vice Admiral Mercado if Bong Go had directly intervened in the FAP.

What I was waiting to be asked was who gave the complaint letter of HHI, with that notorious post-it, to Rappler. And how come Senator Trillanes has copies of documents which are not supposed to be made public.

It is disconcerting that no one from among those in attendance at the hearing even asked - dentiality of papers that have national security implications was made, there was no frontal engagement made on the issue of the source of the information leak.

Bong Go’s successful offensive against yellow journalism must not lead us to lose sight of a more dangerous scenario. We face a new kind of threat when disgruntled elements of the armed forces would link with those who use the power of disinformation, and those who weave intrigues and spin lies, to undermine social and political order.

information, more so if it will have implications on our national security.

that letter. Senators should not let this pass in the next hearing. And should Fonbuena invoke, under oath, her media rights of not disclosing her source, then Rappler for which she is working can no longer use the excuse that it is not a media organization in its SEC case.