THE National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Cagayan de Oro Chapter on June 2 elected its new chapter president in the name of Franck Rosete of Rappler.
Headed by Ronalen Olea of NUJP National, Cagayan de Oro Press Club President Froilan Gallardo, past president Uriel Quilinguing, and other members of the press club convened at the COPC boardroom for the election of the new set of officers for Cagayan de Oro Chapter.
NUJP serves as a backbone of journalists who write for the truth and defend those journalists deprived of their rights, according to Olea they will maintain their thrust to have more journalists join the NUJP especially since the 2025 elections are coming including that of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao that will also be holding its elections.
As per the NUJP chapter election, nominated by Gallardo, Rosete was severally voted by the members who attended, and a set of officers were also elected.
Shiela Mae Butlig of Gold Star Daily News as the Vice-chairman; Anne Jane Duhaylungsod of RMN-DXCC as the Secretary-General; Sean Sulugan of Benta-Birada as the Treasurer; Edwin Iyo of Gold Star Daily as the Auditor; and Bobby Espinosa Lagsa of Philippine Daily Inquirer as the Media Safety Officer.
For his part, Rosete, whose advocacy is also to fight for the truth, acknowledged his winning.
He worries not of the experience of his fellow journalists that was red-tagged in the previous years including its previous Chapter President Pamela Joy Orias, and Gold Star Daily News Editor-in-Chief Cong Corrales, Rosete said that he's afraid that he cannot compel the duty being the Chairman for it is a huge responsibility but have maintained that he will do everything he can to fulfill his duty.
To be honest, nakulbaan ko or worried not because of the experiences sa mga past chairs who were red-tagged but worried kay basin dili nako makaya sa pag manage ang role as chairperson considering sa mga side hassles nako. Pero kakayanin with the help of NUJP National and Cagayan de Oro Press Club, stated Rosete.
In the next months, more seminars await for journalists not just here for Cagayan de Oro but the entire country. On Sunday, NUJP conducted a seminar on Mobile Journalism and Media Safety at Xavier University.
Both Gallardo and Lagsa who are long-time members and supporters of NUJP said that they will be there along the way to support Rosete along with the newly elected set of officers.
Lagsa said that being in NUJP will open doors for journalists as young as the 29-year-old Rosete, more opportunities, and more seminars to uphold the true sense of journalism.
