BACOLOD CITY ,Philippines — Senator Teofisto "TG" Guingona III challenged the new officers and members of the Negros Press Club to stay committed to truth and action in their daily service to the public.
Guingona, who was the guest speaker at the 75th induction ceremony of the Negros Press Club at the Skyroom of Bascon Hotel in this city last Saturday, said, "I am very happy tonight that I can stand in solidarity with the pillars of Negros community of journalists in your stand for, and commitment to, truth."
Citing the Negros Press Club as the country's oldest press club established in 1936, Guingona said: "Let us not be obsessed with age. I think this is the more important thing: not so much as NPC is 75 years old but that NPC has come to existence and continues to exist for a cause, the commitment to truth and action."
The senator told the media practitioners that he attended the event to renew his commitment to truth and action, but also "to receive inspiration from you, to be fired up once more by your own sense of dedication to your journalistic calling and profession."
Guingona, also the chair of the Senate blue ribbon committee, committed his solidarity with the cause the press has been espousing. He said the press usually uncovers truth that are very depressing. "But you should never lose heart because, if you do, you will betray the trust people gave you."
The newly inducted officers of the Negros Press Club for 2011-2012 are: Juan Elmer Ubaldo - president, Jose Lizael Lampinez - vice president, Chrysee Samillano - secretary, Arman Toga - treasurer, and Dolores Epacta - auditor. The new board of directors are Elsie Jolingan, Annie Calderon, Aquilino Ciocon, Ranie Azue and Rex Cantong. Last year's NPC president Julius Mariveles is an ex-officio member.
Judge Gorgonio Ybañez of the Regional Trial Court Branch 48 was the inducting officer of the 75th NPC Ceremony that carried the theme: "Strengthening the Role of the Local Media."