MANILA — Malacanang on Monday expressed deepest sympathies to the family of veteran columnist and Malaya newspaper publisher Amado ‘Jake’ Macasaet who died on Sunday. He was 81.
“We condole with the family of Jake Macasaet. Jake as you know is a long-time publisher of Malaya,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said during a press briefing.
Roque described the death of Macasaet as a “big loss for Philippine journalism”.
“Aside from being active in publishing Malaya and being active in the mosquito press during the martial law years, Jake was best known for wanting to be cited in contempt rather than be silenced even by the court,” Roque said.
Roque recalled that in one Supreme Court decision, Macasaet was cited in contempt because of his remarks about the so-called ‘Majestic 7,’ or alleged judges in cahoots with alleged corrupt SC justices.
“He preferred to be cited in contempt, rather than surrender his independence as a journalist,” he said.
Roque said Macasaet was a maverick who will be missed not only by him but by the nation. (PNA)
