PCIJ has the best coverage on GLORIAGATE

The best coverage on GLORIAGATE can be found at the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.

http://www.pcij.org/blog

It has made the tapes into downloadable mp3 files + transcripts (if you can understand tagalog.) They are releasing the tapes in defiance of Malacanang's threat to arrest anybody and any members of media outlets with possession of those tapes.

Here's more from the Daily Tribune:

Media, other tape ‘pirates’ face arrest, warns Gonzalez

By Benjamin B. Pulta
Thursday, 06 09, 2005

In what could be the most draconian measure yet adopted by the Arroyo administration against alleged anti-government cons-pirators, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez yesterday warned that media practitioners and other persons in possession of an audio recording allegedly involving President Arroyo and an election officer discussing fraud strategies for the May 2004 elections may be arrested. (See related story)

Gonzalez said the arrest, which may be done without a warrant, would be for violating a 40-year-old law passed during the martial-law government of then strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

During a press briefing, he cited a law first passed in 1965, the Anti-Wiretapping Act, providing that persons in possession of a recording may be charged and held under custody.

Earlier, he also warned whistle-blowers on another scandal linking the First Family — jueteng payola — saying they will be arrested if they as much as show up before a Senate hearing to testify on alleged jueteng payoffs to Mrs. Arroyo's husband, son and brother-in-law. (See related story)

“If they (people who make a recording of the taped conversation between Mrs. Arroyo and the poll official) persist in doing it after they have been warned, then they are making a continuing offense, subject to arrest by anybody who has personal knowledge if the crime was committed, or in their presence is being committed.” Gonzalez said.

He further warned that published transcriptions may also be made a basis of an indictment. “After it was already known that this is an illegal tape, that is already a crime. Anybody who (is) responsible (is) already liable (under) the law,'' the Justice secretary said.

He added members of the media may be charged, too, regarding the matter.

“Yes, the media (have a) liability. Anybody can call our attention to that. I don't think an arrest at once is imperative. That can be done but that is a little harsh. I think we should subject everybody to preliminary investigation,” Gonzalez said.

The biggest newspaper in the Philippines has already backed down under gov't pressure. And AFAIK, PCIJ is the only website that is still making all the full contents of the tape available for download.

Their defiance of the Arroyo admin's crackdown reminds me of Ed Morrissey's defiance of the Canadian Gov't Publication ban on the Adscam controversy.

(Malaya and the Tribune have also defied the Gov't and released transcripts of the tape.)