PRESIDENTIAL Communications Secretary Martin Andanar urged media representatives in Cagayan de Oro to partner with the government in nation-building and in achieving change in the Duterte administration, during Cagayan de Oro Press Club or COPC induction of newly-elected officers on Thursday.
Andanar who called Cagayan de Oro media as “aggressive and true advocates of press freedom” cited his office's achievements during the first nine months of President Rodrigo Duterte.
He said Duterte, through an executive order, approved the freedom of information for the executive branch, which he said, is a cornerstone of government transparency.
Duterte, he added, also created the administrative order number one, or the task force on the violation of right to life of media practitioners, and is currently investigating on the killing of journalist Larry Que, whom he said, is “the only verified media worker-killing since the assumption of PRRD.”
Meanwhile, Department of Energy Undersecretary Benito Roque, not Andanar, lead the induction.
Roque inducted Monsignor Elmer Abacahin, as re-elected COPC president, Allan Mediante as the executive president while Jao Gumapac of Radyo Agla and Philip Kenn Jaudian as vice presidents for broadcast and print, respectively.
Jasper Uy will serve as the organization's corporate secretary while City Information Office head Maricel Casino-Rivera got re-elected as treasurer and Joey Nacalaban, VoxPop Cagayan de Oro's photojournalist is also re-elected as the auditor.
The COPC board is composed of veteran journalist Froilan Gallardo, Jigger Jerusalem of the Philippine Dauily Inquirer-Mindanao bureau, Joel Jacobo of Magnum Radyo, Ruffy Magbanua, RMN DXCC manager Rey Maraunay, Rene Abis, Vic Cabanag, and Tony Albania.
The COPC, which was founded in 1951, is the oldest press club in the country.
