Undersecretary Cheloy Garafil, Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Press Secretary (Contributed photo)
MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has cited members of the National Press Club (NPC) as agents of truth and urged one of the oldest and biggest news organizations in the country to continue upholding the highest standards of journalism.
In his video message during the NPC’s 70th foundation anniversary at its headquarters' Bulwagang Plaridel in Inramuros, Manila on Friday night, the President called on the NPC to help the government educate the public through news articles and inspiring stories.
He assured that the media will be his administration’s partner in creating a culture of responsible journalism.
“May this occasion also strengthen your resolve to sustain peace, justice and inclusiveness for the benefit of your patrons and the entire nation,” Marcos said.
Guest of honor Undersecretary Cheloy Garafil, Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Press Secretary and a former print journalist, cited women empowerment in the NPC, which used to be male-dominated.
The NPC is headed by its first woman president, Lydia Bueno of tabloid daily Remate, and first woman vice president Kristina Maralit of Manila Times, treasurer Mina Navarro of Abante, and board members Jean Fernandez of Manila Bulletin, Jeanny Lacorte of Abante, and Madz Domingues, of Abante.
“As a woman leading the Office of the Press Secretary, I understand the challenges that you are facing and I am confident that the NPC is in good hands with both of you at its helm. This is an ever-developing testament that the narrative is shifting and gender prejudices are no longer preventing women from achieving their full potentials” Garafil said in her speech.
She also pointed out that a free press is fundamental to a democratic society and journalists hold the valuable role of safeguarding the truth and disseminating the correct information to the public.
Garafil assured the NPC that the current administration knows the role of the media in the country’s development and will continue to protect journalists.
Other NPC officers are Paul Gutierrez of Peoples Journal, secretary; Leonel Abasola of Philippine News Agency, auditor; and directors Alvin Murcia (Tribune), Aya Yupangco, (DWIZ) Joe Torres (LiCAS News), Nats Taboy (Remate), Jun Mendoza (Philippine Star), Bobby Ricohermoso (Remate), and Benedict Abaygar (Pilipino Mirror).
The NPC was incorporated on Oct. 29, 1952 through the initiative of Teodoro “Ka Doroy” Valencia, as a social club aimed to uphold the freedom of the press with exclusive membership for the newspaper media.
NPC membership has since opened to the broadcast media and continues to provide medical, educational and legal assistance to its members nationwide. (PNA)
