‘Threat is not real’: Badoy says SC dismissed red labeling case

MANILA, Philippines – The Undersecretary of the Office of Presidential Communications Operations (PCOO), Lorraine Badoy, stated in a Senate hearing that the Supreme Court has “dismissed due to lack of evidence,” a case allegedly brought by various groups against her. and other officials for red labeling.

“In case the red label is mentioned, I would like to inform you that we were actually taken to court by the NUJP (National Union of Journalists of the Philippines), Gabriela, Rural Missionaries to the Supreme Court, the was that there is no… the The threat is not real, and it is based on amorphous motives, ”Badoy said during the OCPO budget hearing.

The case was “dismissed for lack of evidence,” he said.

But NUJP President Nonoy Espina denied having brought any case against Badoy or any other government official for red labeling.

“We have not sued anyone for red labeling,” Espina said in a statement.

During the hearing, Badoy also claimed that the Supreme Court ruling allegedly stated that “membership in a red-labeled organization is not an actionable threat.”

“That red label is actually a word coined by the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines). It’s not a real word, ”he also said.

Senator Richard Gordon, who chaired the hearing, asked Badoy to present the alleged Supreme Court ruling he cited to the committee.

To recall, the House deliberations on the proposed budget of the PCOO last September were suspended “until further notice” when lawmakers denounced Badoy’s red tagging activities.

The Makabayan bloc, whose members were labeled by Badoy as “high-ranking officials” of the CPP-NPA-NDF, also previously called for the resignation of the PCOO official.

Badoy initially rejected the call to resign, saying she shouldn’t be the one to step down because she had never misled the Filipinos. She then said she would only be willing to resign if the six Makabayan lawmakers denounce the atrocities of the communist rebels, among other conditions. [ac]

Read next

Don’t miss the latest news and information.

For comments, complaints or inquiries, please contact us.