National Union of Journalists of the Philippines
Press Release

NUJP holds 9th Congress, slams PNoy govt for broken FOI pledge

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has decried the failure to pass a Freedom of Information (FOI) bill which was among the campaign promises of President Benigno Aquino III in 2010.

In a resolution passed during its 9th National Congress held on the theme of Defending Press Freedom, Ensuring Credible Elections, in Baras, Rizal from Jan. 29 to 31, the NUJP cited the refusal of President Aquino to certify as urgent the passage of the FOI bill despite the dominance of his allies in Congress.

The passage of the FOI will “significantly boost efforts to ensure transparency in government and combat graft and corruption,” according to the media group in its resolution approved by more than 60 delegates and participants.
The NUJP vowed to pursue the passage of an FOI bill in the next administration.

During its congress, the NUJP elected a new set of officers for 2016 to 2018 led by its new chairman Ryan Rosauro, a Mindanao correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI).

Joseph Alwyn Alburo of GMA 7 was re-elected as vice chairman while Dabet Castaneda-Panelo (ABS-CBN) is the new secretary general. Also elected were Fred Villareal (safety office coordinator) as deputy secretary general; Che de los Reyes (ABS-CBN), treasurer; and Kimberly Quitasol (Northern Dispatch), auditor.

The other members of the 15-member national directorate include: Melvin Gascon (PDI), Ronalyn Olea (Bulatlat.com), Angel Ayala (BicolToday.com), Nonoy Espina (InterAksyon.com), Jocelyn Clemente (PDI), Raymund Villanueva (Kodao Productions), Julie Alipala (PDI), Virgilio Cuizon (ABS-CBN/NUJP-Europe), and Nestor Burgos Jr. (PDI).

The NUJP has more than 60 chapters nationwide aside from chapters and organizing groups in Europe, United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia and other areas of the Middle East.

Reference:
Ryan Rosauro
Chairperson