Mitos scores misinterpretation of statements in reports

This refers to the article titled “‘Heaven must be crying,’ RH antis warn pros online” (Inquirer, 8/8/12).

The reporter erroneously interpreted my statement on Twitter, relating it to the RH bill issue, when in fact it was a statement that was intended to describe the state of the environment in the country resulting from mankind’s abuses. I was not asked or consulted about the tweet before the article was published and as a result, I have been unfairly subjected to tirades and negative comments on the Internet and on my Twitter account.

The same statement was also mentioned in the article “Calamity campaigning is so ewww,” which was published in Inquirer’s Lifestyle section last Aug. 10. It is unfair that this Twitter post will be repeatedly attributed to me in the same misinterpreted context.

I would also like to call attention to the article “Magsaysay questions Customs over seizure of Indian rice” (Inquirer, 8/9/12) wherein I was quoted as saying: “There would be no problem if there is a seizure, provided the shipment is really illegal. What he should have done is to investigate the issue further before the supposed seizure that was much-touted before the media,” and “This way, due process will be afforded to everybody. Hindi ’yung basta na lang mag-seize ang BOC, then in the end, such seizure would be found to have been done in violation of the processes and without legal basis. Then it would appear to be just for political and media mileage.”

I would like to make it clear that I never issued such statements and that I was never interviewed by any member of the Inquirer organization on the issue.

I look up to the Inquirer as a news organization, and I respect the ideals it stands for. As such, I ask that Inquirer reporters be made to undergo a reorientation on the basic etiquette of news reporting as it is important for the public to know the truth based on accurate information and not personal interpretations.

—REP. MA. MILAGROS

“MITOS” MAGSAYSAY,

first district, Zambales