Puno vows to author bills to protect, benefit newsmen

Former Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ricardo "Dong" Puno Jr. is urging media to be more vigilant against perceived ploys of certain pro-administration quarters to suppress press freedom and the responsible exercise of everyone’s right to free speech and expression.

In a short talk before members of the National Press Club (NPC) Friday night, Puno said "press freedom is a constitutionally guaranteed right and should never be curtailed. A free press nourishes our democracy."

Puno, a seasoned newspaper and broadcast journalist, graced the NPC Fellowship Night along with former Press Secretary Rod Reyes, a candidate for congressman in Parañaque City’s lone district. Like Puno, Reyes is a lifetime member of the NPC.

In simple rites, the two former Malacañang press office heads received their lifetime ID card from NPC vice president Butch del Rosario who represented president Tony Antonio, and secretary Wilma Yamzon.

Puno, who is seeking a senatorial post in the upcoming polls, vowed to initiate measures to ensure the security of tenure of, and to provide more benefits for members of the media.