‘Press Freedom Index’ Puts RP Among World’s Worst
The Philippines’s ranking in the “Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2006” by the Paris-based Reporters Withour Borders has slipped, from 139th last year to 142nd this year. The country is in the bottom 20 of the rankings, sharing the ignominy with the worst violators of press freedom in the world. Reporters Without Borders blamed the continuing killings of journalists and the defamation suits filed by President Arroyo’s husband for the slip in ranking.
Was Mayor Rodrigo Duterte?s unprecedented appearance at the City Council motivated by a serious desire to eradicate the drug problem? If so, why didn?t he or the PDEA file cases instead in court against the alleged drug dealers? Was it because of desperation and exasperation — that no matter what Duterte does, illegal drugs continue to proliferate? Or was it meant to spook councilors into giving him more ?peace and order? money in next year?s budget? Davao Today managing editor 
More than three years after he was abducted by hooded men in front of his welding shop in Maa, Sabdurah Abdullah Ala remains missing. It took a while for his devastated family to recover from the shock and grief. But today, they honor and remember him by fulfilling his dreams and wishes. And they?re still praying for him to finally come home. Davao Today’s 
