Malaya newspaper is now 25 years old

The paper founded by press freedom icon Joe Burgos to expose the lying/cheating/stealing and murderous Marcos dictatorship turns 25 today.

Malaya columnist and chief reporters Ellen Tordesillas writes on the paper’s history:

Malaya means “free” in the Filipino language. Founded in 1981 as a Tagalog newspaper by Jose Burgos Jr., Malaya shifted to English when its sister publication, We Forum, was closed down by the Marcos government in 1983 after it came out with a story exposing the fake medals of former strongman.

During the politically Marcos troubled years of 1983 to 1986, Malaya was at the forefront of giving the public the truth.

The end of the Marcos regime in February 1986 brought changes to the ownership of Malaya. Burgos sold the newspaper to veteran journalist Amado “Jake ” P. Macasaet, who was then Malaya’s business editor.

Throughout all these changes, Malaya has adhered its mission of giving the public the truth fairly and responsibly. The commitment continues.

Here is the paper’s editorial today:

Malaya turns 25

Twenty-five years ago today, this paper first hit the streets. Ferdinand Marcos’ rule was weakening although the unraveling would start seven months later with the killing of Ninoy Aquino. Except for the underground newspapers, more like newsletters actually, put by the Left and the aboveground but also critical publications supported by the Church, the media toed the line.

Marcos was in full control, or so it seemed. Not many at the time could have imagined the spectacular collapse of the dictatorship three years later.

There must be a lesson here somewhere. Any would-be tyrant should not fall into the delusion that all the resources of the Treasury, a compliant legislature, one-party rule, and a subservient military could ensure the continued rule of a discredited regime.

The pages of history are littered with the fallen megalithic statues of those who had believed they could stay in power forever. But that didn’t stop other power-crazed megalomaniacs from believing they would be the exception. Someone we know, laboring under the impression only she stands in the way of the country’s descent to economic stagnation, is even at this very moment keeping on trying to extend her rule.

Which only underscores another lesson: An informed citizenry should ever be vigilant in securing the freedoms they regained at tremendous sacrifice.

We would like to believe we have never entertained illusion that after 1986, our job – telling it as it is – is done. As Jake Macasaet never tires of saying, government and the media are classical adversaries. Even under an enlightened leadership, the media cannot abdicate its job of exposing the lies and abuses. What more when the ruler is a cheat, a thief and a liar?

As we were writing this, we received the news that five Scout Rangers were arrested without warrant for purportedly seeking to overthrow the government. The attempt is supposed to kick off this week with protest actions, climaxing in a withdrawal of support by the soldiery.

We could dismiss the arrests as another indication of Gloria’s worsening paranoia. We won’t. Gloria is bent on staying well after 2010 and what we are seeing suspiciously looks like a government-scripted scenario to justify a crackdown.

The threat to the nation’s restored democracy is real. Tyranny is afoot and if we drop our guard, we will end up back to where we were 25 years ago.

To our readers, advertisers and supporters go our thanks. And may we enjoy your continued support in the years ahead in our fight for a free and just society.