NPC accepts TV comedian’s apology

MANILA, Aug. 11 (PNA) -- National Press Club (NPC) president Benny Antiporda sincerely accepted the apology given by popular TV comedian Joey de Leon at the weekly entertainment talk show 'Star Talk' last Saturday afternoon.

Antiporda expressed his sincere acceptance of the apology, even as he emphasized that “most jokes are half meant” and this is the reason why it would not be hard to forgive and forget such an infraction as De Leon did when he jokingly mentioned “press people” at Eat Bulaga’s “Ang Joke Ko” portion.

“In the eyes of the people, Joey’s apologies, which he did thrice, show he is man enough to admit his mistake. This has earned my respect” Antiporda remarked while watching the talk show with some members of the press from different media entities.

“For the sake of truce, I will personally visit Eat Bulaga to promote goodwill between the entertainment industry and active media practitioners,” he added.

The NPC president, however, stressed that extra-judicial killings and violence against media personalities should never be taken lightly because this is a grave infringement of the liberty and freedom of speech and expression of media practitioners.

“There are good jokes and bad jokes. What I fear is that some people may look at killing mediamen as simple crimes which can be overlooked as mere statistics,” he said.

Meanwhile, another member of the press died while being treated from gunshot wounds he sustained after he was ambushed in General Santos City last January 4.

Antiporda said he was saddened with death of RMN’s Dennis Cuesta, saying that this would add one more in the long list of journalists killed in recent years.