With the latest ambush of a broadcast journalist in Ilocos Sur, Malacañang assured Saturday that President Arroyo is taking into account what needs to be done for the passage of the Magna Carta for Journalists.

“I’m sure isasaalang-alang din ng Pangulo among other things at titingnan din niya ang batas na ito and she’ll decide what to do with this,” deputy presidential spokesperson

Gary Olivar said over DZRB. “I don’t want to preempt the President’s views on this matter,” he added.

The Magna Carta for Journalists seeks to provide protection and promote the welfare of journalists in the country. It provides mandatory life, health and accident insurance for journalists. The law is still pending in Congress.

“We need to protect the lives and welfare of journalists in our country and nobody can quarrel with the intentions of such a law,” Olivar said.

On Thursday night, radio commentator Eugene Paet, 49, was shot by two motorcycle-riding men on his way home from DWRS in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. Luckily, he survived the ambush.

A radio commentator in Zamboanga del Norte had also been shot dead on Christmas Eve.

New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists disclosed that 32 journalists were killed in 2009, making the country one of the most dangerous countries for mediamen.

The most gruesome killing of journalists was the November 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre, which involved 32 journalists. (Madel R. Sabater)