The Freeman reporter elected PRO-8 Press Corps president

PALO, LEYTE, Philippines – Miriam Garcia Desacada, correspondent of The Freeman and reporter of DyVL Aksyon Radyo in Tacloban City, was elected the new president of the re-organized Police Regional Office-8’ Press Corps during last Friday’s election at the PRO-8 headquaters in Barangay Campetic of this town.

Others elected were: Eladio Perfecto of Catarman Tribune as vice president for Samar island; Jimmy Angayangay (DZRH), vice president for Leyte island; Nimfa Patawaran (Bombo Radyo-Tacloban), secretary; Eileen Ballesteros (CBCP News and The Freeman), treasurer; Imelda Magbutay (AFP-CMN), auditor; Fred Padernos (Radyo Abante) and Ryan Ranie Arcenas (DYVL Aksyon Radyo), public information officers; and Luisidro “Bong” Moscasa (Samar Star-GMA) and Jun De Leon (DYOG-Calbayog), business managers.

Desacada vowed to work hard for the programs and activities of the Press Corps and in disseminating reports of the PRO-8, headed by its director, Chief Superintendent Asher Dolina.

Chief Supt. Cedric Train, PRO-8 deputy director for administration, in his message after the election, cited the vital role of the media in reporting the activities of the police. “The Press Corps should also report bad or good things in the PNP organization, which is part of your job as watchdog of the government,” he said.

Dolina supported the re-organization of the Press Corps to help PRO-8 in information dissemination of the PNP thrusts and programs especially at this time when the police is facing a big problem following the death of 44 Special Action Force commandos in Maguindanao.

Outgoing Press Corps chairman Chito Morante presided the election and refused to be re-elected because he wanted new officers for the group. The induction of the new set of officers will be on the second week of March.