WE Forum: The Defiant Newspaper of the Marcos Era
During the height of Martial law in the Philippines, the media landscape was largely dominated by publications that portrayed the administration of Ferdinand Marcos in a positive light. However, one publication dared to challenge this narrative. Founded in 1977 by Jose Burgos Jr., the WE Forum emerged as a courageous voice of dissent, providing hard-hitting coverage and critical reporting during one of the most restrictive periods in Philippine history.
The Mission of WE Forum
The WE Forum was a fortnightly newspaper—published every two weeks—based in Quezon City. Unlike many of its contemporaries, it focused on exposing the realities of the Marcos regime. Its commitment to investigative journalism made it a rare beacon of critical reporting at a time when press freedom was severely curtailed.
The Gillego Exposure and the WE Forum Raid
The tension between the publication and the government reached a breaking point in November 1982. The WE Forum published a provocative story written by Colonel Bonifacio Gillego, which exposed the falsehoods regarding Ferdinand Marcos' claimed wartime medals.
The retaliation from the administration was swift and severe. Acting on orders from Marcos, the METROCOM Intelligence and Security Group (the Metropolitan Command, a police-military unit) conducted what is now known as the WE Forum raid. During this operation, the government padlocked the newspaper's facilities and arrested Jose Burgos Jr. and his staff, holding them for one month.
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Legal Victory and Relaunch
The WE Forum remained shut down for nearly two years. However, the legal battle eventually culminated in a victory for the press. In December 1984, the Supreme Court declared the raid illegal, dismissed all evidence against the publication, and relieved the arrested staff of their charges.
Following this ruling, Burgos relaunched the WE Forum. During the period when the WE Forum case was still pending in court, Burgos had already expanded his media influence by founding Malaya, a daily broadsheet newspaper.
The End of an Era
The WE Forum finally ceased publication in 1985. While the fortnightly paper ended its run, its legacy lived on through Malaya, which grew into a major industry player during the historic 1986 People Power Revolution.
Key Facts
- Founder: Jose Burgos Jr.
- Founded: 1977 in Quezon City, Philippines.
- Frequency: Fortnightly (every two weeks).
- Major Conflict: The 1982 raid by METROCOM following the exposure of Marcos' fake wartime medals.
- Legal Outcome: The Supreme Court ruled the raid illegal in December 1984.
- Ceased Publication: 1985.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Operational Years | 1977–1985 |
| Language | English |
| Key Figure | Jose Burgos Jr. |
| Primary Adversary | Ferdinand Marcos Administration |
| Successor Influence | Malaya (Daily Broadsheet) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded the WE Forum?
The WE Forum was founded by Jose Burgos Jr. in 1977.
Why was the WE Forum targeted by the government?
The newspaper was targeted for its critical coverage of the Marcos administration, specifically after publishing a story by Colonel Bonifacio Gillego that exposed the falsehood of Ferdinand Marcos' wartime medals.
What happened during the WE Forum raid?
The METROCOM Intelligence and Security Group arrested Jose Burgos Jr. and his staff for one month and padlocked the newspaper's facilities, effectively shutting down the publication.
How was the WE Forum eventually reopened?
The publication was reopened in December 1984 after the Supreme Court declared the government raid illegal and dismissed all evidence against the paper.
What happened to the WE Forum after 1985?
The WE Forum ceased publication in 1985, but its founder, Jose Burgos Jr., continued to publish Malaya, which became a significant newspaper during the 1986 People Power Revolution.