THE national and local chapters of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) elected new officers recently as the group continued to resist attacks on press freedom, as well as journalists.

During its 11th Congress and Safety Conference held through blended platforms on March 20-21, 2021, nearly a hundred members from 30 chapters and formations nationwide and overseas elected members of the NUJP’s new executive committee.

They are: Jonathan de Santos (Philstar.com), chairperson; Kath M. Cortez (Davao Today), vice chairperson; Len Olea (Bulatlat.com), secretary-general; Anjo Bagaoisan (ABS-CBN), deputy secretary-general; Jhoanna Ballaran (Jiji Press), treasurer; and Marchel Espina (Rappler/Digicast Negros), auditor.

Serving as directors are Judith Suarez (Sure FM Tandag Surigao del Sur), Lady Ann Salem (Manila Today), Voltaire Tupaz (FYT Media), Red Magtoto (Baretang Bikolnon), Jairo Bolledo (Rappler), Ricky Bautista (Samar Weekly Express), Macel Ingles (ABS-CBN Global), Glenn Lopez Uy (Mindanao Goldstar Daily) and Lian Buan (Rappler).

NUJP Olongapo-Zambales

Meanwhile, the NUJP Olongapo-Zambales chapter was similarly convened on March 12 through a Zoom meeting to elect its officers. The meeting was supervised by then NUJP Chair Nonoy Espina and Sec-Gen Dabet Panelo.

Those elected officers of NUJP Olongapo-Zambales are: Joanna Aglibot (Philippine Daily Inquirer), chairperson; Alvin Ramos (Radyo Bandera), vice chairperson; Lolito Go, secretary-general; Julie Sionzon (GMA-7), treasurer; and Kristal Barcoma (Peryodiko News Update), auditor.

No to Red-Tagging

In the Congress, the NUJP passed a resolution condemning the red-tagging of journalists and the threats that it brings.

A statement issued after the Congress read:

“The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has weathered a storm alongside colleagues in the profession but we still face rough seas ahead, if not rougher.

“The systematic red-tagging of the NUJP, media outlets, and journalists has intensified in the past five years, endangering the lives of members of the press toiling hard to keep the people informed. Aside from being branded as enemies of the state, journalists have reported receiving threats telling them to stop being critical of government or be silenced.

“This amid other attacks on press freedom including threats of closure and other forms of harassment that our colleagues from Rappler, ABS-CBN, and alternative media outfits have faced under the Duterte administration.

“The arrest last year of Manila Today editor and now NUJP director Lady Ann Salem, declared invalid by a Mandaluyong court for being an irregular search operation, the current detention of Eastern Vista executive director Frenchie Mae Cumpio in Tacloban City, and the killings of 19 journalists under the Duterte administration prove that these are not idle threats.

“The NUJP, under its new leadership, strongly condemns the red-tagging of its members, colleagues, and of the organization itself. The Union vows to step up its campaign against such malicious efforts, and hold responsible those behind these systematic attacks against us.

“The NUJP also rejects the assertion that featuring underreported issues and communities and questioning the government narrative makes a journalist anyone’s enemy, and certainly not an enemy of the people.

“The recently-concluded Congress is testament to the tenacity and strength of Filipino journalists amid the escalating repression. The composition of its new directorate is a show of stronger unity, and a clear message that we will continue truth-telling in the face of lies peddled by the enemies of press freedom.

“As we write a new chapter of the Union’s history, we call on all journalists to stand up for each other in the face of these threats and be in the service of the Filipino people. A free and independent press is a foundation of a true democratic society and protects the public’s right to be informed and right to express themselves. While we may have differences in editorial policies, we emphasize that journalism is not a crime nor an invitation for attack and harassment and we cannot allow it to be so.” ~