On the 8 Spot

This interview with Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye was published on the site of New America Media (NAM). Cantil-Sakauye marked her first 100 days in office just last April.

After her historic nomination by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, an overwhelming number of Californians voted for Cantil-Sakauye, who became the first Asian, the first Filipino, only the second woman, and one of the youngest to hold the position.

In her first in-depth televised interview since she took office, Cantil-Sakauye discusses with NAM anchor Odette Keeley the critical role of diversity on the bench and the next big case to go before the court this September: “Prop 8,” the voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage.

via First Fil-Am Calif. SC justice in US proud to be Pinoy – Pinoy Abroad – GMA News Online – Latest Philippine News.

This was our secret and now I will share it with you.

When we were covering Imelda Marcos, Mel Mathay and the Metro Manila Commission, the Quezon City Hall and the Quezon City Courts (Chit for Tempo, Cris and Vina alternately for the Daily Express and I for Ang Pahayagang Malaya), Chit, Vina and Cris would also look for corruption stories and opposition stories and pass them to me. Aside from the MMC, QC Hall and courts, I was also assigned to human rights stories, the opposition (with Joel Paredes), and street rallies (with Joel, Ellen Tordesillas and Malaya police reporters).

They knew Malaya was undermanned. They knew I couldn’t handle so many beats at one time. They understood I had to prioritize covering the human rights beat.

And so they helped me in the beats we covered together. They would give me leads for stories and even shared their notes. This was how selfless these journalists were at that time: Chit, Vina and Cris. Nananalaytay sa dugo nila ang pagiging peryodista kaya sa bansag nilang “maliit na paraan namin,” tinulungan nila akong i-cover at i-uncover ang mga katiwalian sa QC hall at MMC.

There was no rivalry among us. There was only friendship and a shared passion to unearth the truth and to ensure the Filipino people will get hold of it. Chit, Vina and Cris were not after recognition. For this, I salute them. And I thank them again.

via Adventures with Chit, lessons to keep | Newsbreak | Independent Journalism.