Anatomy of a Presidential Media Coverage
Photos and text By: Art Tibaldo
I started covering news as a reporter in 1983 and my first encounter with a President was at the Philippine Military Academy 42 years ago with the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. who was the guest of honor and speaker. Today, I am covering his son, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
As a neophyte cameraman, I didn’t have a media outfit to speak of and press-card to show. What I had was courage and drive to photograph events even if my gear was just an entry level Canon SLR camera with a standard 50mm lens.
Back then, I don’t recall having any hassle getting to where the action was since there weren’t many of us, everyone knew each other. I think I wore coat and tie that time.
Fast Forward
Today (8.24.25) we motored to Camp 6, Kennon Road where the controversial multi-million rock shed is located to cover the on-the-spot inspection of the place by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
This I guess is an offshoot of the series of expose’s surrounding project anomalies on government infrastructures particularly on flood control projects.
Before that, I prepared my recording gadgets composed of two newly charged mobile phones and a Wayfarer Sunglasses capable of recording images and my Cordillera News Agency press card. Knowing that I’ll be walking a lot, I put a knee strap on my left knee and wore my Panagbenga vest that has back and breast pockets.
Like the other local reporters and correspondents, our names and media outfits were listed by the Philippine Information Agency, Baguio Field Office and submitted to the Malacañang Accreditation and Relations Office (MARO) and the Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM), the media arm of the Philippine President.
These procedures that include briefing on the parameters of the coverage by the MARO and camera inspection and tagging by the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) of the Presidential Security Group are part of the standard practices and I advise reporters not to bring sharp items like Swiss knife or even paper cutter when covering the President.
For field coverages such as this, it is also best to be ready of any eventualities like absence of a place to eat. I also wore a hat although my vest has a hood to prepare for the hot sun and inside one of my pockets is a biscuit in case of hunger.
