Human Rights

Underpaid, Under Fire, Under Pressure

Media workers may bask in the limelight and may wield tremendous amount of influence. But, as four topnotch Davao journalists tell davaotoday.com, they are not spared from poverty and the corruption and danger that it brings.

By Grace S. Uddin
davaotoday.com

DAVAO CITY ? Print and broadcast journalists may have relative popularity or notoriety because of the power of information they wield on air or on print.? But that doesn?t mean they are spared from the same hardships suffered by ordinary Filipinos.

Four journalists here shared their own tales of coping with poverty and their meager income, and overcoming the call of the ?envelope?, or bribery.

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The Violation of Jelieta Ruca

A Davao City court junks a sexual harassment case filed by a teacher against her thesis adviser, setting off a barrage of condemnation from women?s groups and highlighting concerns that the Philippines has a long way to go in combating violence and discrimination against women.

By Amabelle Plaza-Laminero
Women?s Feature Service

DAVAO CITY — ?He was like a father to me,? public school teacher ?Jelieta Ruca says of her thesis adviser Dr. Melvin ?Mende, professor of industrial education and a member ?of the graduate studies at the state-owned University of Southeastern Philippines in this city.

So when Ruca found herself alone with Mende to consult with him on her thesis on Nov. 6, 2001, she could hardly believe what he did to her.

Inside a study room at the university, Mende, according to Ruca, stood up from his table, went straight to her, kissed her on the mouth and stroke her breasts.

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