Gratuitous link

JEERS TO the Philippine Daily Inquirer for taking a cheap shot at the Aquino government with a headline that gratuitously links administration projects and brothels in the area.

On February 16, the Inquirer published “Brothels thrive beside projects of ‘Daang Matuwid’” on its front page, reporting on the appearance of “brothels and other sex establishments” supposedly spawned by the road and bridge rehabilitation projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The report also cited anonymous DPWH “insiders” as source who supposedly said that sex establishments usually operate where such projects are ongoing.

The report could have used DPWH instead of the “Daang Matuwid” (Straight path) in its headline. The phrase “Daang Matuwid” is associated with the current administration to describe its focus on honest governance.

Actually, brothels operate where there are large construction projects, but the article did not take to task the failure of government to stop these presumably illegal establishments.

Several Twitter users tagged CMFR regarding the Inquirer headline.

Brothels thrive beside projects of ‘Daang Matuwid’ https://t.co/3TRKEpX1aV via @inquirerdotnet This could have less slanted headline @cmfr

— MSSyj (@profmssyj) February 16, 2016

Jeers to this news outlet for relating brothels to Daang Matuwid! @cmfr https://t.co/WafXyBEkP0

— Rachel Peralta (@akosimumble) February 16, 2016

@inquirerdotnet @jesplanadaINQ @cmfr irresponsible journalism. Basta madikit lang ang daang matuwid. What is your intention?

— Tippee (@Ilovetippee) February 16, 2016

@profmssyj @ardiedawal What a strange headline. @inquirerdotnet @cmfr @jesplanadaINQ

— MGVtrb (@mgvtrb) February 16, 2016

Jeers @cmfr @Team_Inquirer @inquirerdotnet @NenyP https://t.co/H8k583DLPU

— Ivan Picazo (@IvanPicazoUPD) February 16, 2016