‘Pugad Baboy’ Cartoonist Resigns from Inquirer

After the controversial mention about lesbians and St. Scholastica’s  school in his long-running comic strip in the Philippine Daily  Inquirer (PDI), ‘Pugad Baboy’ creator Pol Medina Jr., resigned.

Medina sent his letter of resignation to the newspaper on June 7, the  same day he apologized for the comic strip involved in the issue  published last June 4.

In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News Medina expressed that  resigning is an ultimate expression of regret, an indication that he  did something, and that tells that the apology is sincere.

Medina admitted he was hurt not to see an edition of “Pugad Baboy”  published in recent issues of PDI, which has been printing his comic  strip for the past 25 years.

According to him, the feeling of not seeing an edition of his comic  strip in the recent issues of PDI is indeed painful, similar to having  received a verdict of punishment that is due to such unbecoming act.

PDI, early this week, announced it will not publish further editions  of “Pugad Baboy” pending further investigation on the comic strip’s  June 4 print.

In its apology to St. Scholastica’s College, which was mentioned in  the controversial strip, the newspaper explained that the cartoon had already been rejected for its insensitivity, but was published due to  a “mix-up in the comics section.”

In the said strip, one character mused how Catholics are hypocrites  for being homophobic. Another character then insinuated that beautiful  students and some nuns of St. Scholastica’s College are lesbians.

Addressing the publication of the “Pugad Baboy” strip, St.  Scholastica’s College president Sister Mary Thomas Prado threatened to sue PDI unless an inquiry is launched.

In a separate interview with ABS-CBN News, Atty. Raul Pangalangan of  PDI said the daily is not inclined to accept Medina’s resignation.

Resignation letter of Medina

“Hindi namin nais tanggapin ang resignation. Dahil nabuo na ang aming  investigation, at malinaw na ang pinakamabigat na pagkakamali ay hindi  kay Pol, kundi sa humawak o nag-upload ng comic strip na iyon,”  Pangalangan said.

“We respect his decision, pero para sa amin, we would like him to  continue,” he added.

Source: www.abs-cbn.com