NPC election today

Two things happen today. The members of the Negros Press Club elect their officers and the Diocese of Bacolod opens its Diamond Jubilee Year.

Unlike the Diamond Jubilee of the Cathedral that involves the Catholics of the Diocese, the NPC election involves only the 95 members.

But it is just as important because the press, especially the threat to its freedom, involves not only the Catholics but all the Christians, the Buddhists, the Muslims, the Agnostics, and even the Atheists.

Every third Saturday of January this is an annual ritual because those who drafted its constitution saw to it that no re-election is allowed.

The experience in many press clubs is that re-election allows some leaders to perpetuate themselves in power. This starts the club's destruction. At our NPC a former president can be elected after an interval.

I am very proud of the privilege given me in the Club of having been elected an unprecedented four times as President, 1969, 1980, 1989 and 2005. Many in the Club, especially the past presidents wanted me to serve a fifth term. I said, no. Four is already enough. Five is too much.

Except in 1969, my second, third, and fourth terms were on the egging of members who said the Club needed me. They were very flattering to the ears that I could not resist.

We have capable young leaders now. I would like to act as an elder. Even the Council of Past President's chairmanship, I turned it over to Modi Sa-onoy after serving it for 25 years when in 1982 the late Alberto Balcells formed it.

Modi runs the CPP-NPC. I was told to be an honorary chairman, a kind of chairman emeritus which makes me feel very old already.

Well, I am confident the best man will win the presidency this afternoon. And he will be strong enough to stand for protecting the press which is now facing its challenge.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said police will arrest journalists if they obstruct police in dealing with coup plotters. I think the press would not mind that. They will cover an operation against coup d ‘etat just the same. Never mind if they get killed. That's the risk they take.

The press that cannot protect press freedom does not deserve to be protected.

* * *

A bigger event is the opening and launching of the Diamond Jubilee of the Cathedral this afternoon with the symbolic opening of the Door of the Cathedral by Bishop Vicente Navarra.

Many said, they like the idea of comparing us to pilgrims. We are pilgrims in life. We are on a journey of life. The purpose is to reach the Celestial City .

A friend asked where can be get a copy of John Bunyan's “Pilgrim's Progress,” a popular book in the 17th century, translated in many languages and, as what I said yesterday, a must reading for us in high school.

The beauty in the book is its simplicity. The characters were our virtues and our vices, like Faith, Courage, and the main character is Christian fleeing the City of Destruction , fighting against Greed, losing his burden at the Cross and imprisoned in Vanity Fair….

You read it and enjoy.

But if you want to go deeper in subjects like this you don't have to look far. Fr. Mamerto Alfeche, O.S.A., president of Colegio de San Agustin's latest book, “Augustine on the Hope of Groaning Creation” discusses in very scholarly way the hope of eternal life.

Fr. Alfeche has depth and is erudite in examining the thoughts of St. Augustine . In this Jubilee Year, I hope Fr. Felix Pasquin and Bishop Vicente Navarra suggest the reading of Fr. Alfeche's book.

It is not an ordinary book. You will not enjoy it unless you are willing to soar to the heights of Fr. Alfeche's intellectual flight.

* * *

When I hammered at Cebu Pacific and its inefficient operation I was vindicated. Inefficiencies like this are what have riled the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration that downgraded Philippine airlines.

Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza hoped it will hasten the approval of a law creating the Civil Aviation Authority.

Do you think the enactment of this law can solve the problem?

I don't believe. Every time we have a problem, we want to enact a law. What we need is leadership. What is wrong? Correct it. How long does it take to pass a law? Meanwhile our airlines will suffer as passengers will use other airlines.

What Mendoza should do is just to tell these airlines, “These are your problems. Correct them. Do it or else…”

* * *

We were with Silay City Mayor Oti Montelibano in Silay Thursday. We asked him, “Why did your snub your friend Bing Leonardia on the airport opening?” It's the Malacañang Office that issues the invitation, he said. He said, his Councilors were not even invited.

But yesterday afternoon, Bing and former Congressman John Orola went to Silay, too, but after the ceremonies. It cannot be that Bing Leonardia will not be there. The name of the airport is Bacolod-Silay.*

back to top