VENANCIO AND TOPACIO: COMMITTED TO CHAMPIONING THE NPC’S WELFARE

AS the National Press Club (NPC) stands at a crossroads, members and stakeholders must engage with urgency and purpose. The NPC represents more than just an institution; it embodies the essence of press freedom and serves as a bastion of journalists’ rights in our nation. Yet, despite its esteemed legacy, the NPC faces numerous challenges that demand collective attention and action.

The forthcoming elections on May 5, 2024, are not merely a routine process. They present an opportunity for renewal, transformation, and revitalization within our organization. The individuals elected to lead the NPC will shape its trajectory, influence its policies, and determine its ability to navigate the evolving landscape of journalism in the digital age.

At this pivotal moment, the call to action resounds loudly. It urges us to transcend apathy and complacency and to embrace our responsibility as guardians of press freedom and champions of journalistic integrity. The decisions made in casting our votes will reverberate far beyond our organization, impacting the broader media landscape and shaping the future of our profession.

Rallying support for candidates such as Atty. Ferdie Topacio, Aya Yupangco, Benedict Abaygar, Gina Mape, Irwin Corpuz, among others, for Directors, and Joey Venancio for President, I endorse a vision of leadership characterized by competence, integrity, and unwavering commitment to the principles upon which the NPC was founded. It is incumbent upon us to scrutinize their platforms, assess their track records, and evaluate their capacity to lead with foresight and fortitude.

Moreover, the significance of the election extends beyond the selection of individual leaders; it speaks to the collective aspirations of the NPC membership. It is a referendum on our values, priorities, and aspirations for the future of journalism in our country. Our engagement in the electoral process must be informed, deliberate, and guided by steadfast dedication to the ideals of press freedom and journalistic excellence.

Meanwhile, candidates running under the Press Freedom Party (PFP) include Leonel ‘Boying’ Abasola for President, Benny Antiporda for Vice-President, Mina Navarro for Treasurer, Lydia Bueno for Auditor, and Madz Dominguez, Jeany Lacorte, Jun Mendoza, Alvin Murcia, Dennis Napule, Jay Reyes, Bobby Ricohermoso, and Nats Taboy for Directors. The PFP boasts a commendable record of achievements in recent years.

Ultimately, the fate of the NPC rests in our hands. It is incumbent upon us to seize this moment, heed the call to action, and vote with conviction and clarity of purpose. Together, let us reaffirm our unwavering commitment to press freedom, journalistic integrity, and the enduring values that define our profession. For if not us, then who? If not now, then when?

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Catch Gilbert Perdez’s “Barangay 882” radio show every Saturday from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Tune in via ALIW Channel 23, DWIZ AM Radio, the DWIZ 882 Facebook page, or DWIZ ON-DEMAND on YouTube. You can contact him via email at gil.playwright@gmail.com or through this number: 0991-3543676.