This was aired by Ms. Natividad P. Bayubay, officer in-charge of the Zamboanga del Norte schools division, as she spoke during the 49th induction of officers of the Zamboanga del Norte Press Club (ZNPC) at the Top Plaza Hotel here last Saturday.
Bayubay reminded the members of the press that their first obligation is the truth, followed by their loyalty to the citizenry. This, she said, requires the media practitioners to shun from reporting/broadcasting unverified information in order not to upset public opinion.
A similar call was voiced by Zamboanga del Norte Governor Roberto Y. Uy, urging the press “to value honesty and truthfulness, and to always seek to do the right things.”
Congressman Isagani S. Amatong of the province’s third district, on the other hand, underscored the importance of the press in a democratic society, as he subscribed to the stand of former US President Thomas Jefferson who preferred “freedom of the press without a government rather than a government without freedom of the press.”
Amatong was one of founding officials of the club, which was created in 1965. He once served as editor of the Mindanao Observer, the longest-running newspaper in the province.
He also recalled that when Martial Law was declared in 1972, he wrote an editorial against it.
ZNPC’s new set of officers are Engr. Eduardo de la Cerna-President, Atty. James Cyril O. Ruiz-Vice President, Rhey Davie D. Magdayao-Secretary, Ruben Enoy-Treasurer, Robert N. Pinsoy-Auditor and Rosemarie P. Miranda, Czarito B. Zamora, Maynard T. Baes, Lorenzo A. Aseniero II, Samuel B. Amatong, Crispin S. Garcia, Sesenio B. Villalon, Mariano A. Ayuban, Dennis O. Garay and Edwin Bastion as directors.
They took their oath before Regional Trial Court (RTC) Executive Judge Rogelio Laquihon.