Three years after the brazen killing of veteran broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa, lawmakers and advocates of press freedom on Friday remembered him as a fearless voice who stood unflinchingly against corruption and abuse of power.
Lapid, known to his listeners as Ka Percy, was gunned down on October 3, 2022, near his home in Las Piñas City. While his assassin has been convicted, the masterminds behind the crime remain unidentified—leaving justice painfully incomplete.
Mamamayang Liberal Representative Leila de Lima, herself once the target of political persecution, said Ka Percy’s voice continues to haunt those who prefer silence.
“A fearless voice who held the powerful to account, and a journalist who never flinched from exposing wrongdoing. His sharp commentaries spoke directly to the conscience of the nation. His words disturbed those who preferred silence and submission,” she said in a video message.
De Lima lamented the state of press freedom, noting, “Sa tuwing pinatatahimik ang isang mamamahayag, unti-unting nauupos ang liwanag ng demokrasya (Every silenced journalist slowly dims the light of democracy).”
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, chair of the Senate Committee on Justice, underscored the role of media as guardians of democracy.
“Kinitil ng mga salarin ang tinig ng isang malaya, makabuluhan, at makatotohanang komentaryo, lalo na sa pagpapanagot sa mga nakaupo sa pwesto at pang-aabuso sa pwesto (The perpetrators killed the voice of a free, relevant, and truthful commentary, especially in holding to account people in power and those who abuse power),” he said.
Pangilinan said that remembering Ka Percy is also a call to action. “Buong puso nating suportahan at ipagtanggol ang kalayaan sa pamamahayag, at tiyakin na walang tinig kailanman ang patatahimikin ng takot o ng dahas. Habang nagiging mailap ang hustisya sa pagtugis sa mga mastermind sa pagpaslang kay Ka Percy, patuloy nating isulong ang kanyang tinig: Harapin ang mga katotohanan, labanan ang katiwalian sa ating lipunan, at panagutin ang mga maysala at may kasalanan sa bayan.”
(“Let’s wholeheartedly support and defend the freedom of journalists, and ensure that no voice is ever silenced by fear or violence. While justice for the mastermind in the killing of Ka Percy remains elusive, let’s continue to advance his voice: Confront the truth, fight corruption in our society, and make accountable wrongdoers and have sinned against the country.”)
For many, Ka Percy’s warnings still ring true. Days before his death, he warned that the Duterte family posed the biggest threat to the Marcos administration. His prophetic words gained new resonance as political turmoil involving the Dutertes continues to ripple through the country.
De Lima urged journalists and citizens alike to keep Percy’s fire alive: “Today, Percy lives on. In the courage of journalists who carry the torch. In every truth-seeker who dares ask difficult questions. And in the hearts of Filipinos who believe that silence must never win.”
As family, colleagues, and supporters lit candles in his memory, Ka Percy’s own words echoed back: “Ang pagsasabi ng katotohanan ay hindi katapangan. Ito ay tungkulin (Speaking the truth is not courage, it is duty).”