Top news sources in Cebu named

CEBU, Philippines - Thirteen personalities from the field of politics, business, and law enforcement, among others, made it to this year’s list of news sources most admired by the local media.

In the list are Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Board Member Victor Maambong, Police Regional Office Director Lani-O Nerez, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Regional Trial Court Judge Geraldine Faith Econg, Linao barangay councilman (Talisay City) Val Ylanan, Acting Immigration 7 Director Casimiro Madarang, Mandaue City Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna, Cebu City Police Office Investigation and Detective Management Branch chief Paul Labra, Businessman Glen Soco, and Cebu City Sports Center manager Ricky Ballesteros.

Osmeña, Garcia, and Fortuna also made it to the list last year. This year, Garcia shared the second spot with Maambong.

Members of the Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists arrived at the list by ranked the news sources based on two categories - standards and values, with standards getting 75 percent of the assessment points.

The news sources were assessed specifically on access to news source and to materials under the source’s control; kind of information that the news source provides, including his communication skill; attempts to confuse the reporter and thus the public by giving false information or withholding crucial data; respect for the reporter by being considerate of his person and his work.

They were also rated for good values that promote free flow of information and mutual respect.

The survey, which started last year, is aimed at motivating news sources by recognizing their best practices in their dealing with reporters and at encouraging access to information on matters of public interest.

Ranking Per Beat Organization

DEPP (Defense PNP Press Corps) - PRO7 CSupt. Lani-O Nerez (1,185 points), CCPO Director Patrocinio Comendador (1,184), and CPPO Director Col. Jesus Gacquing (1,170).

CHARM (City Hall Association of Reporters in Media) - Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña (951), Cebu City Councilor Gerardo Carillo (841), Cebu City Administrator Francisco Fernandez (812), Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama (806), and Congressional aspirant Jonathan Guardo (786).

MICS (Media in Cebu South) - Linao, Talisay Bry. Councilor Val Ylanan (702), Talisay City Police Chief P/Supt. Henry Binas (560), and Talisay City Councilor Alan Bucao (539).

CEJA(Cebu Economic Journalists Association) - Tourism Secretary Ace Durano (735), DTI 7 Director Aster Caberte (701), MCCI President Eric Mendoza (631), Cebu Business Club President Dondi Joseph (572), and CCCI President Samuel Chioson (516).

MALLET (Media Alliance for Law, Liberty, Equality and Truth) - RTC Judge Geraldine Faith Econg (473), RTC Judge Meinrado Paredes (384), and Provincial Prosecutor Jane Petralba (285).

CART (Capitol Association of Reporters in Tri-Media) - Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia (822), Board Member Victor Maambong (822), Capitol consultant Rory Jon Sepulveda (547), Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Castillano (481), and Vice Gov. Greg Sanchez (427).

REJOICE (Regional Journalists in Cebu) - Acting Immigration 7 Director Casimiro Madarang (455), DOH 7 Director Susana Madarieta (370), LTFRB 7 Director Romulo Bernardes (361), and LTO 7 Director Raul Aguilos (352).

ARMALITE (Association of Reporters in Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu in Truthful Excellence) - Mandaue City Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna (542), Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes (441), and Mandaue Administrator Briccio Boholst (330).

 SCORE (Sports Correspondents and Reporters) - CCSC manager Ricky Ballesteros (290), Cebu City Councilor Raul Alcoseba (261), Motocross series organizer Lou Ornopia (193), Team Dance Sport chief Edward Hayco (192), and Boxing promoter Antonio Aldeguer (189).

LENS (Photographers and Cameramen) - Businessman Glen Soco, Cebu City Police Office Investigation and Detective Management Branch head Paul Labra, and Board Member Victor Maambong.

The total number of points a set of news sources got varied from one beat to another. The more members there are in a beat, the more points the news sources got.

The results in each beat were independent of those in the other beat and the news sources had no prior knowledge of the survey. — Garry B. Lao/JMO (THE FREEMAN)