As of 15 December 2000[<]After the axing of the Subukan sa 558 radio program of journalists Jarius Bondoc, Joe Torres and JP Fenix, another radio program critical of President Joseph Ejercito Estrada was canceled.
Waldy Carbonel's noontime daily radio show on DWIZ was also cancelled on Friday, 15 December 2000. Station insiders cited pressure from Malacanang Palace and PNP Chief Ping Lacson as the reason. DWIZ is run by Rey Langit, station manager, and owned by businessman Antonio Cabangon Chua.
In related news, the management of Radio Mindanao Network have been holding closed door meetings after Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Rina Jimenez David made public Friday the removal of Subukan sa 558 by their station manager Ricky Alegre who cited an alleged "reorganization" and internal squabble.
Alegre had apparently misrepresented the company after he told Subukan producers that Bobby Ante, RMN Metro Manila Operations head, was behind pressure on him to take out the program. Alegre also told Subukan's JP Fenix and Bondoc through separate phone calls that he hopes the infighting will be solved in about two weeks.
RMN insiders revealed that Ante has not been involved in the AM station's affairs for over a week now.
They likewise said that Alegre has been under investigation for his being specifically named in the tapes revealed by Chavit Singson on his conversation with Presidential Legilative Liaison Office Secretary Jimmie Policarpio. Policarpio had named Alegre and DWIZ's Langit as being in Malacanang's payroll.
As of 13 December 2000
At exactly 7:45 pm, Wednesday, 13 December 2000, the radio program Subukán sa 558 was axed by its station, Radio Mindanao Network.
The cancellation came exactly three days after being warned by station officials that it was experiencing “pressure” because of the program’s content highly critical of President Joseph Ejercito Estrada. It is seen as another move by the troubled president to suppress media criticism, including large payoffs of media practitioners, threats on these businesses and, in some cases, direct intimidation.
Aired over 558 RMN News Manila, Subukán sa 558 featured journalists Jarius Bondoc, Joe Torres and JP Fenix. Its format interviews from personalities various anti-Estrada factions and sectors, rally schedules and anti-Erap music. It also had a tie-up with the popular Pinoy Times and Pinoy Times special edition where wrap-ups of the publications’ reports were aired over the program. These included details on the Estrada mansions and mistresses.
RMN Manila Station manager Ricky Alegre informed program producers Wednesday night that the show could not continue as it is. He cited what he claimed to be an internal squabble between him and fellow managers as the reason why the station management decided to stop the airing of the show.
But Subukán producers felt the reason didn’t wash.
Two hours prior their fourth episode last Sunday, 10 December 2000, Subukán producers received a call from Alegre. He asked the producers to "balance" the show by having one of the hosts play devil's advocate and mouth the Erap line.
The producers refused, pointing out that the program never pretended to be a news show but was in fact commentary and not news reporting.
They added that this is the essence of being subukán -- challenge -- to start with since it.
The caller also asked the producers to ease off on the anti-Erap music but producers stood their ground against any show changes.
Subukán producers reminded Alegre that the administration has most of the airtime available for its propaganda. Specifically, it has bought most of the airtime before and after Subukán show. Alegre countered that the administration does not play anti-Cory or anti-FVR songs to which Subukán producers said: "Why don't they? Aren't they creative enough?"
Alegre revealed there was "great pressure" on them.
Subukán again reminded him that the program was launched partly due to the station’s need to balance perceptions that they had been bought by the Erap administration.
The station runs First lady Loi Ejercito’s public service radio show “Hotline ng Masa.” Prior to Subukán’s Sunday slot there is a show by Environment Secretary Antonio Cerilles followed by a youth-oriented show “Anak ng Masa” with Presidential son Jude Ejercito. After the Subukáan slot is Tourism Secretary Gemma Cruz Araneta’s show. The station also carried San Juan Mayor Jinggoy Estrada’s show for the League of Municipalities which regularly featured mayor Lilia Pineda, wife of jueteng lord Bong Pineda.
They added that it was also in consideration of the fact that Alegre himself was implicated in the Jimpol tape where radio persons including Alegre were named as being in the Malacanang payroll.
That tape was revealed by Chavit Singson of his phone conversation with Presidential Legislative Liaison Officer Jimmie Policarpio where the latter was asking for more money (aside from the P2 million jueteng funded budget for media) because of the rising expenses
With the last word from Alegre telling producers to “consider my inputs,” Subukán’s Bondoc, Torres and Fenix went on with the program without any format changes.
As of this report, talks are on going for the airing of the program in another venue.
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