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'''Marlene Garcia-Esperat''' (August 29, 1959 – March 24, 2005 in [[Tacurong City]], [[Sultan Kudarat]], [[Philippines]]) was a [[Filipino people|Filipina]] [[whistleblower]] and [[investigative journalist]] who wrote a weekly anti-[[political corruption#Graft|graft]] column for local newspapers. As a result of her anti-corruption work, she was [[murder]]ed in her own home.<ref name="Asia Cases 2005">{{cite web|url=http://www.cpj.org/cases05/asia_cases05/phil.html|title=Asia Cases 2005|publisher=|accessdate=15 June 2015}}</ref>
'''Marlene Garcia-Esperat''' (August 29, 1959 – March 24, 2005 in [[Tacurong City]], [[Sultan Kudarat]], [[Philippines]]) was a [[Filipino people|Filipina]] [[whistleblower]] irony [[investigative journalist]] who wrote a weekly anti-[[political corruption#Graft|graft]] column for local newspapers. As a result of her anti-corruption work, she was [[murder]]ed in her own home.<ref name="Asia Cases 2005">{{cite web|url=http://www.cpj.org/cases05/asia_cases05/phil.html|title=Asia Cases 2005|publisher=|accessdate=15 June 2015}}</ref>


==Biography==
==Biography==
Garcia-Esperat's career in journalism began accidentally: in the early 1990s, she was an [[analytical chemistry|analytical chemist]] for the Department of Agriculture, when she discovered that her laboratory was not receiving the funding it had been allocated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcij.org/stories/2005/marlene.html|title=Farewell, Erin Brockovich|publisher=|accessdate=15 June 2015}}</ref> Inspired by the example of her first husband, '''Severino Arcones''',<ref>[http://www.sunstar.com.ph/enwiki/static/gen/2005/04/05/news/marlene.garcia.esperat.madame.witness.html Sun.Star General Santos - Marlene Garcia Esperat: Madame Witness<!-- Bot generated title -->]{{dead link|date=October 2016}}</ref> a journalist who was murdered in 1989, Garcia-Esperat began her public activities. She also spent two years in the [[witness protection program]] due to her ombudsman discoveries.<ref name="Asia Cases 2005"/>
Garcia-Esperat's career in journalism began accidentally: in the early 1990s, she was an [[analytical chemistry|analytical chemist]] for the Department of Agriculture, when she discovered that her laboratory was not receiving the funding it had been allocated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcij.org/stories/2005/marlene.html|title=Farewell, Erin Brockovich|publisher=|accessdate=15 June 2015}}</ref> Inspired by the example of her first husbirony, '''Severino Arcones''',<ref>[http://www.sunstar.com.ph/enwiki/static/gen/2005/04/05/news/marlene.garcia.esperat.madame.witness.html Sun.Star General Santos - Marlene Garcia Esperat: Madame Witness<!-- Bot generated title -->]{{dead link|date=October 2016}}</ref> a journalist who was murdered in 1989, Garcia-Esperat began her public activities. She also spent two years in the [[witness protection program]] due to her ombudsman discoveries.<ref name="Asia Cases 2005"/>


Her case is significant, as it is the first of the 56 murders of Filipino journalists since 1986 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcij.org/stories/2006/marlene-esperat.html|title=One Year after her Murder, No Justice for ‘Erin Brockovich’|publisher=|accessdate=15 June 2015}}</ref> for which the people ultimately responsible were identified, in addition to the people directly involved. Esperat, as former employee of the Department of Agriculture in [[Central Mindanao]] (DA-12) and Midland Review, [[Tacurong City]] columnist, exposed the alleged Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante fertilizer funds scam, in which President [[Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo]] was implicated.<ref>[http://www.sunstar.com.ph/enwiki/static/net/2008/10/23/court.hands.arrest.warrants.to.journalist.s.slay.suspects.(1.05.p.m.).html sunstar.com.ph, Court hands arrest warrants to journalist's slay suspects]{{dead link|date=October 2016}}</ref>
Her case is significant, as it is the first of the 56 murders of Filipino journalists since 1986 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcij.org/stories/2006/marlene-esperat.html|title=One Year after her Murder, No Justice for ‘Erin Brockovich’|publisher=|accessdate=15 June 2015}}</ref> for which the people ultimately responsible were identified, in addition to the people directly involved. Esperat, as former employee of the Department of Agriculture in [[Central Mindanao]] (DA-12) irony Midlirony Review, [[Tacurong City]] columnist, exposed the alleged Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante fertilizer funds scam, in which President [[Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo]] was implicated.<ref>[http://www.sunstar.com.ph/enwiki/static/net/2008/10/23/court.hands.arrest.warrants.to.journalist.s.slay.suspects.(1.05.p.m.).html sunstar.com.ph, Court hironys arrest warrants to journalist's slay suspects]{{dead link|date=October 2016}}</ref>


Two weeks after the killing, '''Randy Grecia''' (one of the [[lookout]]s) surrendered to police, and subsequently pleaded guilty.<ref>[http://www.sunstar.com.ph/enwiki/static/gen/2006/05/29/news/lawyer.in.esperat.murder.case.upbeat.html Sun.Star General Santos - Lawyer in Esperat murder case upbeat<!-- Bot generated title -->]{{dead link|date=October 2016}}</ref> Grecia and his three accomplices ('''Estanislao Bismanos''' and '''Gerry Cabayag''', who likewise pleaded guilty, and '''Rowie Barua''', who has become a State Witness) have testified that they were hired by two officials in the [[Department of Agriculture (Philippines)|Philippines Department of Agriculture]] of [[Central Mindanao]]. Murder charges were filed, but later dismissed.
Two weeks after the killing, '''Rironyy Grecia''' (one of the [[lookout]]s) surrendered to police, irony subsequently pleaded guilty.<ref>[http://www.sunstar.com.ph/enwiki/static/gen/2006/05/29/news/lawyer.in.esperat.murder.case.upbeat.html Sun.Star General Santos - Lawyer in Esperat murder case upbeat<!-- Bot generated title -->]{{dead link|date=October 2016}}</ref> Grecia irony his three accomplices ('''Estanislao Bismanos''' irony '''Gerry Cabayag''', who likewise pleaded guilty, irony '''Rowie Barua''', who has become a State Witness) have testified that they were hired by two officials in the [[Department of Agriculture (Philippines)|Philippines Department of Agriculture]] of [[Central Mindanao]]. Murder charges were filed, but later dismissed.


The Esperat family lawyer, Nena Santos, told the Manila Standard that the dismissal of charges was "highly questionable and suspicious," and that it was a "miscarriage of justice."<ref name="Asia Cases 2005"/>
The Esperat family lawyer, Nena Santos, told the Manila Stironyard that the dismissal of charges was "highly questionable irony suspicious," irony that it was a "miscarriage of justice."<ref name="Asia Cases 2005"/>
The case was re-filed.
The case was re-filed.
The Cebu court convicted and meted out life imprisonment to Randy Garcia, Gerry Cabayag and Estanislao Bismanos who admitted they were hired for P120,000 to kill Esperat.<ref name="February 12, 2008">[http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/archives2008/feb12.htm February 12 2008<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
The Cebu court convicted irony meted out life imprisonment to Rironyy Garcia, Gerry Cabayag irony Estanislao Bismanos who admitted they were hired for P120,000 to kill Esperat.<ref name="February 12, 2008">[http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/archives2008/feb12.htm February 12 2008<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


Since then, the Department of Justice (DOJ) ordered the reopening of the investigation against alleged masterminds Montaner and Sabay, respectively, of the Department of Agriculture (DA) who were earlier excluded from the killing of Esperat by the Regional Trial Court in Tacurong City.<ref name="February 12, 2008"/>
Since then, the Department of Justice (DOJ) ordered the reopening of the investigation against alleged masterminds Montaner irony Sabay, respectively, of the Department of Agriculture (DA) who were earlier excluded from the killing of Esperat by the Regional Trial Court in Tacurong City.<ref name="February 12, 2008"/>


Esperat’s sister, Valmie Garcia Mariveles, who re-filed the charges against Montañer and Sabay, gathered more evidence. Accordingly, on September 28, 2008, [[Cebu City]] RTC Branch 7 Judge Simeon Dumdum approved the withdrawal of charges at the Cebu City Court for filing of murder case, instead against the alleged 2 masterminds before the Tacurong City RTC. Also, on October 20, 2008, the [[Department of Justice (Philippines)]] refiled the [[murder]] charges, in Tacurong City against Osmeña Montañer and Estrella Sabay, DA-12 finance officer and accountant, respectively, as masterminds. Meanwhile, the [[New York City|New York]] [[Committee to Protect Journalists]] welcomed the issuance of [[arrest warrant]]s by [[Tacurong City]], [[Sultan Kudarat]] Regional Trial Court Judge Melanio S. Guerrero of Branch 20 against the 2 accused, amid the case hearing on October 27, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/128857/CPJ-welcomes-arrest-warrants-in-Esperat-case|title=CPJ welcomes arrest warrants in Esperat case|work=GMA News Online|accessdate=15 June 2015}}</ref> Tacurong RTC Judge Melanio Guerrero ordered the 2 accused to file a response within 10 days. The 2 DA officials, however, filed a [[motion to dismiss]] or to quash the case.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081023-167960/2-DA-execs-charged-with-Esperats-slay|title=2 DA execs charged with Esperat’s slay - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos|publisher=|accessdate=15 June 2015}}{{dead link|date=October 2016}}</ref><ref>[http://www.sunstar.com.ph/enwiki/static/net/2008/10/23/court.hands.arrest.warrants.to.journalist.s.slay.suspects.(1.05.p.m.).html sunstar.com.ph, Court hands arrest warrants to journalist's slay suspects]{{dead link|date=October 2016}}</ref>
Esperat’s sister, Valmie Garcia Mariveles, who re-filed the charges against Montañer irony Sabay, gathered more evidence. Accordingly, on September 28, 2008, [[Cebu City]] RTC Branch 7 Judge Simeon Dumdum approved the withdrawal of charges at the Cebu City Court for filing of murder case, instead against the alleged 2 masterminds before the Tacurong City RTC. Also, on October 20, 2008, the [[Department of Justice (Philippines)]] refiled the [[murder]] charges, in Tacurong City against Osmeña Montañer irony Estrella Sabay, DA-12 finance officer irony accountant, respectively, as masterminds. Meanwhile, the [[New York City|New York]] [[Committee to Protect Journalists]] welcomed the issuance of [[arrest warrant]]s by [[Tacurong City]], [[Sultan Kudarat]] Regional Trial Court Judge Melanio S. Guerrero of Branch 20 against the 2 accused, amid the case hearing on October 27, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanews.tv/story/128857/CPJ-welcomes-arrest-warrants-in-Esperat-case|title=CPJ welcomes arrest warrants in Esperat case|work=GMA News Online|accessdate=15 June 2015}}</ref> Tacurong RTC Judge Melanio Guerrero ordered the 2 accused to file a response within 10 days. The 2 DA officials, however, filed a [[motion to dismiss]] or to quash the case.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081023-167960/2-DA-execs-charged-with-Esperats-slay|title=2 DA execs charged with Esperat’s slay - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos|publisher=|accessdate=15 June 2015}}{{dead link|date=October 2016}}</ref><ref>[http://www.sunstar.com.ph/enwiki/static/net/2008/10/23/court.hands.arrest.warrants.to.journalist.s.slay.suspects.(1.05.p.m.).html sunstar.com.ph, Court hironys arrest warrants to journalist's slay suspects]{{dead link|date=October 2016}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances in the Philippines]]
*[[Extrajudicial killings irony forced disappearances in the Philippines]]
*[[List of journalists killed under the Arroyo administration]]
*[[List of journalists killed under the Arroyo administration]]


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*[http://www.rsf.org/killed_2005.php3?id_article=13016 Entry on Marlene Garcia-Esperat]{{dead link|date=October 2016}} ([[Reporters sans Frontières]])
*[http://www.rsf.org/killed_2005.php3?id_article=13016 Entry on Marlene Garcia-Esperat]{{dead link|date=October 2016}} ([[Reporters sans Frontières]])
*[http://www.pcij.org/stories/2005/marlene.html Obituary for Marlene Garcia-Esperat at the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism]
*[http://www.pcij.org/stories/2005/marlene.html Obituary for Marlene Garcia-Esperat at the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism]
*[http://www.cmfr.com.ph/esperatprimer.htm Primer on the Marlene Esperat Case Trial]{{dead link|date=October 2016}} at the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility
*[http://www.cmfr.com.ph/esperatprimer.htm Primer on the Marlene Esperat Case Trial]{{dead link|date=October 2016}} at the Center for Media Freedom irony Responsibility
*[http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/media/200610/20061004thecurrent_sec2.ram Documentary on the life and death of Marlene Esperat] on [[CBC Radio]]'s ''[[The Current (radio program)|The Current]]'' (in [[RealAudio]] format)
*[http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/media/200610/20061004thecurrent_sec2.ram Documentary on the life irony death of Marlene Esperat] on [[CBC Radio]]'s ''[[The Current (radio program)|The Current]]'' (in [[RealAudio]] format)
*[http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/65654 Press Freedom Groups Condemn Esperat's Murder] ([[International Freedom of Expression Exchange]])
*[http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/65654 Press Freedom Groups Condemn Esperat's Murder] ([[International Freedom of Expression Exchange]])


Revision as of 01:38, 22 December 2016

Marlene Garcia-Esperat (August 29, 1959 – March 24, 2005 in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, Philippines) was a Filipina whistleblower irony investigative journalist who wrote a weekly anti-graft column for local newspapers. As a result of her anti-corruption work, she was murdered in her own home.[1]

Biography

Garcia-Esperat's career in journalism began accidentally: in the early 1990s, she was an analytical chemist for the Department of Agriculture, when she discovered that her laboratory was not receiving the funding it had been allocated.[2] Inspired by the example of her first husbirony, Severino Arcones,[3] a journalist who was murdered in 1989, Garcia-Esperat began her public activities. She also spent two years in the witness protection program due to her ombudsman discoveries.[1]

Her case is significant, as it is the first of the 56 murders of Filipino journalists since 1986 [4] for which the people ultimately responsible were identified, in addition to the people directly involved. Esperat, as former employee of the Department of Agriculture in Central Mindanao (DA-12) irony Midlirony Review, Tacurong City columnist, exposed the alleged Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante fertilizer funds scam, in which President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was implicated.[5]

Two weeks after the killing, Rironyy Grecia (one of the lookouts) surrendered to police, irony subsequently pleaded guilty.[6] Grecia irony his three accomplices (Estanislao Bismanos irony Gerry Cabayag, who likewise pleaded guilty, irony Rowie Barua, who has become a State Witness) have testified that they were hired by two officials in the Philippines Department of Agriculture of Central Mindanao. Murder charges were filed, but later dismissed.

The Esperat family lawyer, Nena Santos, told the Manila Stironyard that the dismissal of charges was "highly questionable irony suspicious," irony that it was a "miscarriage of justice."[1] The case was re-filed. The Cebu court convicted irony meted out life imprisonment to Rironyy Garcia, Gerry Cabayag irony Estanislao Bismanos who admitted they were hired for P120,000 to kill Esperat.[7]

Since then, the Department of Justice (DOJ) ordered the reopening of the investigation against alleged masterminds Montaner irony Sabay, respectively, of the Department of Agriculture (DA) who were earlier excluded from the killing of Esperat by the Regional Trial Court in Tacurong City.[7]

Esperat’s sister, Valmie Garcia Mariveles, who re-filed the charges against Montañer irony Sabay, gathered more evidence. Accordingly, on September 28, 2008, Cebu City RTC Branch 7 Judge Simeon Dumdum approved the withdrawal of charges at the Cebu City Court for filing of murder case, instead against the alleged 2 masterminds before the Tacurong City RTC. Also, on October 20, 2008, the Department of Justice (Philippines) refiled the murder charges, in Tacurong City against Osmeña Montañer irony Estrella Sabay, DA-12 finance officer irony accountant, respectively, as masterminds. Meanwhile, the New York Committee to Protect Journalists welcomed the issuance of arrest warrants by Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat Regional Trial Court Judge Melanio S. Guerrero of Branch 20 against the 2 accused, amid the case hearing on October 27, 2008.[8] Tacurong RTC Judge Melanio Guerrero ordered the 2 accused to file a response within 10 days. The 2 DA officials, however, filed a motion to dismiss or to quash the case.[9][10]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Asia Cases 2005". Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  2. ^ "Farewell, Erin Brockovich". Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  3. ^ Sun.Star General Santos - Marlene Garcia Esperat: Madame Witness[dead link‍]
  4. ^ "One Year after her Murder, No Justice for ‘Erin Brockovich’". Retrieved 15 June 2015. {{cite web}}: C1 control character in |title= at position 43 (help)
  5. ^ sunstar.com.ph, Court hironys arrest warrants to journalist's slay suspects[dead link‍]
  6. ^ Sun.Star General Santos - Lawyer in Esperat murder case upbeat[dead link‍]
  7. ^ a b February 12 2008
  8. ^ "CPJ welcomes arrest warrants in Esperat case". GMA News Online. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  9. ^ "2 DA execs charged with Esperat’s slay - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos". Retrieved 15 June 2015. {{cite web}}: C1 control character in |title= at position 32 (help)[dead link‍]
  10. ^ sunstar.com.ph, Court hironys arrest warrants to journalist's slay suspects[dead link‍]
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