Commission on Human Rights (CHR) regional director for Western Mindanao Atty. Jose Manuel Mamauag (left) inducts Independent Press of Zamboanga officers (from left to right) Prof. Emmanuel Mangubat, president; Bernie Concepcion, vice president for internal affairs; Hader Glang, vice president for external affairs; Mohammadnur Nung Ajihil, secretary general; Henry Salac, treasurer; and Ely Dumaboc, auditor; and directors Roy Albretch, international relations; Fred Concepcion, local government; Rey Banagudos, R&D New Media; Rikki Lim, documentation; Mon Venegas, radio broadcast; and Ric Detuyato, information. Below photo shows Atty. Mamauag receives a plaque of appreciation from IPZ president Mangubat and founding fathers Prof. Clem Bascar (right), Manny Tan (left) and IPZ secretary general Ajihil witness.Nearly 100 guests representing all sectors of society from academe, civic-religious, banker, businessmen, and local government agencies, attended the first induction ceremony of the Independent Press of Zamboanga (IPZ) last Sunday at A Taste of Asia (Atoa) restaurant along Veterans Avenue, this city.
"This is the first time that Zamboanga City, the City of Flowers not Latin City of Asia has organized an independent press composed of independent-mind media that is different from other media organizations," said Prof. Emmanuel Mangubat, IPZ president, in his inaugural speech.
"While we are an exclusive organization of independent-minded media, we welcome members who are interested to join provided they meet the requirements of membership as stipulated in our Constitution. We also accept honorary members who believe and share our vision of an independent journalist who want to have media practitioners who can raise the level of journalism to the highest degree of professionalism adhering strictly to the tenets of press freedom and ethics of media as a profession. We don't want to be identified with media who are beholden to the powers-that-be to the extent that outsiders will accuse Zamboanga media as the most corrupt."
Lawyer Jose Manuel Mamauag, regional director of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) for Western Mindanao, inducted the set of officers and gave the keynote address on the theme: "The Role of the Press in Upholding Human Rights, Press Freedom and Democracy."
"My noble friends in the media, I could not see a better opportunity for the ideal media practitioner to come up with the ample courage in revolutionizing a new order of journalism in totally one of the oldest cities in Mindanao. Surely, I am confident of your awareness in your role as guardians of truth and freedom for the people of Zamboanga."
"True indeed, the Inpedendent Press of Zamboanga could not have come at a better time...I keep asking myself, with all the threats and risks in the business of media - what could be the reasons that propel promising individuals to jeopardize their lives in a thankless profession? - perhaps, I should ask the same question to human rights activists as well. To the ideal journalist, such risks could not match the power of truth as he is convinced of the people's right to know being supreme to mere mortal fear."
"Adversely, to the corrupt media creature, truth is like malleable clay that could be molded to serve his selfish, lucrative interests. An opportunity to engorge his already bloated belly fed by lies and deception as he sets his throne above the rotten corpse of truth. He sleeps soundly in the dead of night as he endures the stink of his putrid treachery against those who toiled in the of human rights, press freedom and democracy."
The occasion was graced by the presence of former priest Crisanto "Monsi" dela Cruz, former Mayor Vitaliano Agan, 1st District Councilor Jimmy Cabato, former Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) president John Luistro and businessman Manny Tan, one of the founding fathers of IPZ, as well as some veteran journalists led by Felino Santos and other known personalities in the city.
Prof. Clem Bascar, the founding father of IPZ, challenged mediamen "must never succumb to any lure of bribery. He should not fall under the spell or control of plutocratic individuals for few pieces of silver. At all times, costs, risks and trials, the Fourth Estate must remain totally independent."
He said in the performance of their journalistic functions, duties and responsibilities, mediamen have nothing to compromise in exposing the truth and fighting for what they believe to be morally and ethically right and that they have nothing to compromise when it comes to the principles they are fighting for even in the face of extreme danger.
"In order to preserve the highest standard of dignity and responsibility of the profession, media people should avoid being constantly seen in the company of individuals notoriously known for shelling out blood money to promote or advance their vested interests or power ambitions. They should only pledge allegiance to the truth and not to people who show extraordinary generosity in exchange for hyperbolic praises and ego building publicity blitz."
"So today, let's collectively show and prove to the whole world that in Zamboanga City a special and very rare breed still exists embodying the best traditions, ideals and traits of journalists. This is the formidable challenge that we members of the Fourth Estate must valiantly and uprightly respond to with dignity, honor and fortitude."
For Nung Ajihil, IPZ secretary general, "In all modesty aside, we shall resist any attempt to muzzle the Fourth Estate by anybody, be it a public official, political power brokers, business interest groups and those masquerading as journalists under the payroll of people dispensing public funds to undermine our peaceful existence and independence."
Meanwhile, a message from Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan, read by his executive secretary Fred Concepcion during the occasion, acknowledges "your dedication and sincerity in doing your job as the 'fourth estate', to help rectify some nods of media practices of putting Sulu on 'hot pages', magnifying the negative image but devoid of balanced information of some realities of the province."
"To this, my administration in Sulu stands for fairness and transparency. I will always remain supportive to your objectives in the IPZ that will redound to the good name and reputation of the Zamboanga Peninsula and ARMM regions particularly of the province of Sulu."
"This is the first time that Zamboanga City, the City of Flowers not Latin City of Asia has organized an independent press composed of independent-mind media that is different from other media organizations," said Prof. Emmanuel Mangubat, IPZ president, in his inaugural speech.
"While we are an exclusive organization of independent-minded media, we welcome members who are interested to join provided they meet the requirements of membership as stipulated in our Constitution. We also accept honorary members who believe and share our vision of an independent journalist who want to have media practitioners who can raise the level of journalism to the highest degree of professionalism adhering strictly to the tenets of press freedom and ethics of media as a profession. We don't want to be identified with media who are beholden to the powers-that-be to the extent that outsiders will accuse Zamboanga media as the most corrupt."
Lawyer Jose Manuel Mamauag, regional director of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) for Western Mindanao, inducted the set of officers and gave the keynote address on the theme: "The Role of the Press in Upholding Human Rights, Press Freedom and Democracy."
"My noble friends in the media, I could not see a better opportunity for the ideal media practitioner to come up with the ample courage in revolutionizing a new order of journalism in totally one of the oldest cities in Mindanao. Surely, I am confident of your awareness in your role as guardians of truth and freedom for the people of Zamboanga."
"True indeed, the Inpedendent Press of Zamboanga could not have come at a better time...I keep asking myself, with all the threats and risks in the business of media - what could be the reasons that propel promising individuals to jeopardize their lives in a thankless profession? - perhaps, I should ask the same question to human rights activists as well. To the ideal journalist, such risks could not match the power of truth as he is convinced of the people's right to know being supreme to mere mortal fear."
"Adversely, to the corrupt media creature, truth is like malleable clay that could be molded to serve his selfish, lucrative interests. An opportunity to engorge his already bloated belly fed by lies and deception as he sets his throne above the rotten corpse of truth. He sleeps soundly in the dead of night as he endures the stink of his putrid treachery against those who toiled in the of human rights, press freedom and democracy."
The occasion was graced by the presence of former priest Crisanto "Monsi" dela Cruz, former Mayor Vitaliano Agan, 1st District Councilor Jimmy Cabato, former Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) president John Luistro and businessman Manny Tan, one of the founding fathers of IPZ, as well as some veteran journalists led by Felino Santos and other known personalities in the city.
Prof. Clem Bascar, the founding father of IPZ, challenged mediamen "must never succumb to any lure of bribery. He should not fall under the spell or control of plutocratic individuals for few pieces of silver. At all times, costs, risks and trials, the Fourth Estate must remain totally independent."
He said in the performance of their journalistic functions, duties and responsibilities, mediamen have nothing to compromise in exposing the truth and fighting for what they believe to be morally and ethically right and that they have nothing to compromise when it comes to the principles they are fighting for even in the face of extreme danger.
"In order to preserve the highest standard of dignity and responsibility of the profession, media people should avoid being constantly seen in the company of individuals notoriously known for shelling out blood money to promote or advance their vested interests or power ambitions. They should only pledge allegiance to the truth and not to people who show extraordinary generosity in exchange for hyperbolic praises and ego building publicity blitz."
"So today, let's collectively show and prove to the whole world that in Zamboanga City a special and very rare breed still exists embodying the best traditions, ideals and traits of journalists. This is the formidable challenge that we members of the Fourth Estate must valiantly and uprightly respond to with dignity, honor and fortitude."
For Nung Ajihil, IPZ secretary general, "In all modesty aside, we shall resist any attempt to muzzle the Fourth Estate by anybody, be it a public official, political power brokers, business interest groups and those masquerading as journalists under the payroll of people dispensing public funds to undermine our peaceful existence and independence."
Meanwhile, a message from Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan, read by his executive secretary Fred Concepcion during the occasion, acknowledges "your dedication and sincerity in doing your job as the 'fourth estate', to help rectify some nods of media practices of putting Sulu on 'hot pages', magnifying the negative image but devoid of balanced information of some realities of the province."
"To this, my administration in Sulu stands for fairness and transparency. I will always remain supportive to your objectives in the IPZ that will redound to the good name and reputation of the Zamboanga Peninsula and ARMM regions particularly of the province of Sulu."
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