MANILA – Senator Erwin Tulfo renewed his call for the passage of the proposed Media Workers’ Magna Carta following the May 13 shootout at the Senate, saying the incident highlighted the dangers faced by journalists covering government institutions.

Tulfo described the situation experienced by Senate reporters during the incident as a “blatant disrespect” to media workers who continue to perform their duties despite limited benefits and lack of safety protections.

“The journalists play a crucial role in revealing the truth about what happened during the shootout. Who did fire first?” Tulfo said in a radio interview.

The senator said authorities at the scene should have allowed journalists and camera crews to continue documenting the incident as investigations into the shooting continue.

“That could serve as a proof that the security, the law enforcement, if they really followed the protocol. At the same time, it is also to protect them because when so-called perpetrators find out that there’s media presence, they will think twice before firing their guns,” he added.

Tulfo also emphasized that Senate reporters are not trained to cover violent encounters or armed conflicts, making the experience more traumatic for those caught in the crossfire.

“For instance, the Senate media are not accustomed to these kinds of shootouts. Certainly, it traumatized them—we even heard some reporters crying while doing their live commentary. That’s how endangered they were at the moment,” Sen. Erwin pressed further.

The incident prompted Tulfo to once again push for Senate Bill No. 249, or the “Magna Carta for Workers in the Media and News Industry Act,” which is among his top 20 priority measures.

Under the proposed measure, media workers would be entitled to standardized minimum wages, overtime and night differential pay, security of tenure, hazard pay, and insurance coverage, among other benefits.

“This measure is not just about improving journalists’ economic well-being, it affirms their dignity and rights as they stand on the frontlines to hold the line for press freedom,” Tulfo said.

“The May 13 incident in the Senate which threatened the safety of Filipino reporters is only one of the daily struggles they face. Let us give them the compensation and support that they are entitled to,” the lawmaker further concluded.