Lawyers' group fetes PTFoMS head for leadership, safeguarding media
2024-Aug-18 19:00
OUTSTANDING CIVIC LEADER. Presidential Task Force on Media Security Executive Director Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez (left) receives a certificate of appreciation from Public Attorney's Office chief Persida Acosta as outstanding civic leader at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Saturday (Aug. 17, 2024). Gutierrez earned the recognition for his exemplary leadership in protecting the rights and security of the Philippine press. (PTFoMS)
MANILA – Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) Executive Director Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez was recognized by the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) on Saturday as among the country's outstanding civic leaders.
Gutierrez was feted for protecting the rights and security of the Philippine press during the 8th MCLE (Mandatory Continuing Legal Education) – Accredited National Convention of Public Attorneys attended by PAO lawyers nationwide at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
In 2017, Gutierrez was also named by the PAO during its 6th MCLE National Convention as among the country's top journalists and for his leadership as president of the National Press Club, one of the country's oldest media organization.
Under Gutierrez's leadership, the PTFoMS had solved at least five violence committed against the media under the Marcos administration.
"If I am the person that this witness claims to be, then I am sure that the PAO would not give me this second recognition, this time as a hardworking and dedicated government official," Gutierrez said.
On Friday during a congressional probe held in Bacolor, Pampanga, Gutierrez was linked to the illegal drug trade by former Customs intelligence officer Jimmy Guban, along with Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, Second Gentleman Mans Carpio and businessman Michael Yang.
Gutierrez later released a statement, debunking Guban's allegations that he served as emissary to make sure Duterte, Carpio and Yang will not be tagged in the 2018 shabu smuggling controversy. (PNA)