Media's shining moment

This is media's shining moment.

Thanks to President Arroyo's state of the emergency declaration and PNP Chief Arturo Lomibao's threat to impose "media standard."

It raised the hackles of media. And when media unleashes its dogs of war it surely will influence the course of history.

In Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" the warning is not to "let slip the dogs of war" or you'll "cry havoc!"

I hope our government officials are aware of this or they get rabies.

***

Last night media would have a vigil at the Fountain of Justice in front of City Hall. The way I understand it, as I was just invited, this would be a media affair. I was asked to wear red to show a fighting spirit.

But there were others who preferred to wear black to show mourning.

I would have wanted to make this a purely media activity. But the public was invited by the organizers. So I expected other groups to be there.

In my own thinking, I don't mind if there are only five or ten of us as long as we are all media people. Demonstrations are not gauged by the number of the crowd but its quality. But the organizers thought otherwise. I respect them for that.

The entry of other people would make critics say we cannot get a crowd ourselves. And we would be said to have been used by other people and not really for the defense of media. That is what I don't like.

***

Media people must impress on all, they can fight their own war, even without other people to fight for them.

Now, I know why some demonstrations supposedly for a "cause" fall on deaf ears because other people, for their own private agenda are perceived to just want to ride on the issues.

***

I see no problem for our own local media. Media here, under the Negros Press Club, is strong and united. We move as one.

There are so many organizations under the Negros Press Club. I can not count them. But we are one, especially in espousing a common cause.

And it does not mean we are all in harmony. Otherwise, we will be a media no more. We think individually and believe in our own individual principles. Conformity is the greatest enemy in media.

***

Our NPC elections are as hotly contested. But after the election we unite as one and work together. We forget the last fight and start preparing for the next. That's what we have been trained for, to fight.

Unity in diversity! That's what makes an organization great.

Yesterday, our new NPC president Amado Villacarlos took his oath of office. MTCC Executive Judge Lorna Demonteverde administered the oath and was guest speaker. I turned over to Amado the reins of the office, happy it was to a competent leader.

Amado was my vice-president and he did a good work that I told him to make his vice-president Jun Julita do the job too. I am happy Jun Julita showed true leadership when last Saturday he successfully organized the first Celebrity Night.

I believe when his time comes, Julita will also make a good leader. This is the advantage in the Negros Press Club. We prepare future leaders.

***

In Iloilo, listening to media friends there, I sympathize that media groups there are split and not working in harmony. They envy us, they said. I believe they can do it too.

In Manila and other places, like Cebu and Davao there are likewise multi groupings. But they have more media people there.

The thing is, for people who may dislike media here, a warning, we are united. But, it does not mean we will not help you if what you are fighting against are abusive media practitioners.

We are always for promoting integrity and credibility among our media people. This is easier said than done. But it can be done.

***

I was interested in the news that the city is charging Bredco a rental of P17 million a year. And Bredco is offering a million.

While I agree the city must get the maximum it can get, it must also listen and consider the reasons of Bredco. Bredco, as a private business must be given all the incentives and help if we want to make other investors know that Bacolod is an investor friendly city.

The city must not just look at the rental but in the business Bredco can bring to provide employment and income for people. And the downstream businesses.

I believe the city must be practical. If it opts to take over and Bredco stonewalls and goes to court, the city will be the loser. I am afraid it cannot get a settlement in just 10 years. Meanwhile, the port will not have a an efficient management in the face of court suits.

And it's better to negotiate now that Sammy Palanca is still around. I hope to see Sammy Palanca personally, get the low down and after meeting Mayor Being Leonardia, write an in-depth report.*

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