Lawmakers on Tuesday condemned the fatal shooting of broadcaster Percival Mabasa, more popularly known as Percy Lapid, in his vehicle in Las Piñas City Monday evening.
"This murder of a media man is an attack on the right to freedom of expression that is enshrined in our Constitution," Padilla said in a statement
Likewise, Sen. Grace Poe also demanded justice for the killing of Mabasa.
"No member of the press must feel curtailed and threatened as they do their job. The killings must be addressed as doing so would usher in greater safety and security of all citizens," she added.
Meanwhile, opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros described the killing of Mabasa as an "attack on press freedom."
"This is a brazen attack on press freedom. But this also demonstrates the inherent power of speech and truth-telling," Hontiveros said.
Mabasa earned a reputation as a hard-hitting radio commentator with his "Lapid Fire" show. He was gunned down at the Santa Cecilia Gate of the BF Resort Village in Barangay Talon, Las Piñas City.
Tandem riders
Gunmen onboard a motorcycle were tagged in the killing. Earlier reports said a white sports utility vehicle prepped the attack on the broadcaster by sideswiping his black Toyota Innova Asian utility vehicle.
Mabasa's family, including his journalist brother Roy Mabasa, condemned the killing.
"We are deeply saddened and angered by the brutal and brazen killing of a fearless broadcaster, father and husband, brother and friend of Percy Lapid," said the family in a statement.
"We strongly condemn this deplorable crime. It was committed not only against Percy, his family and his profession but against our country, his beloved Philippines, and the truth"
Las Piñas police chief P/Col. Jaime Santos has announced the creation of a special investigation task group to unmask the killers and the masterminds behind it.
All hands on deck
Santos said they are looking at all closed-circuit TV camera footage and those from the dash camera of the victim's vehicle.
The Philippine National Police, through P/Brig. Gen. Roderick Alba, vowed to bring the perpetrators behind the bar of justice.
National Capital Region Police Office chief P/Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, on the other hand, assured the public that the Mabasa family would be afforded swift justice following the formation of a special investigation task force to look into the brazen killing.
Estomo gave Santos 24 hours to solve the case.
"I have given the investigator and the chief of police, Police Colonel Jaime Santos, 24 hours to shed light on the matter and solve the case. We assure to provide an update as soon as available," Estomo said.
Even Malacañang has given law enforcement authorities a marching order to solve the slay case within seven days.
Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevarra, in an interview with reporters, said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed "concern" over the slaying of the broadcaster.
"We have been instructed to take a look at the investigation on the ambush of him last night," he said.
Duterte, Marcos critic
Mabasa was known as a critic of both the Duterte and Marcos administrations.
According to Guevarra, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security has been ordered to coordinate with the Southern Police District to "ensure that the conduct of investigation proceeds without any problem."
Roy Mabasa, a former president of the National Press Club, expressed belief that those behind the killing "are the persons he has been hitting on his show."
Jom Garner @tribunephl_jom, Alvin Murcia, Michelle Guillang @tribunephl_mish, Paula Antolin @tribunephl_phau and Pat Santos
