Contrary to claims that press freedom has been reduced because of the controversy that came about following the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) decision regarding online news website Rappler, there hasn’t been an issue where a press club or any other organization has been cut with its head apart from its neck.
The National Press Club pointed out the revocation of registration for that news organization was valid due to alleged violations on the substance of control over media organizations. There will be drastically different opinions from media personalities but, as long as one is on the right track, a similar treatment will not be faced by others.
It is also important for media associations to be aware that organizations listed and registered with the SEC, even non-stock organizations, have requirements that must be submitted to the SEC.
For the Negros Press Club, headed by Boy Duran, they must be aware, when the press club registered in 2009 as a non-stock organization, there were documents that had to be compiled and filed with the SEC.
This is true of any other media organization – even stock corporations.
The required SEC general information sheet (GIS) is important, Boy. Let the new secretary visit the SEC.
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This weekend, Iloilo City’s Dinagyang Festival will be celebrating its 50th year. I cheer the organizers and “movers” of the festival, which has become one of the WORLD’s most popular festivities. I will be experiencing the festival again this year after previously serving as festival manager in 2001 and festival tribes coordinator in 2003.
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While Iloilo City has developed commercially, with the entry of development giants like Megaworld, Ayala, Gaisano, SM Holdings, and Double Dragon, local politics appears to be in a sad state.
The former mayor has been removed from office and is barred from holding public office for life. The city’s congressional representative is facing the same fate, with allegations of government violations, and is under suspension. The promoted vice mayor, now-mayor, faces another bitter fate.
Although, despite everything happening politically, it is not affecting the city’s business climate.
Iloilo City has been supported by an Iloilo-borne senator, who has bestowed many graces upon the city. Megaworld shared a piece of their property, which was part of the old airport, for government to construct the Iloilo Convention Center years ago. However, residents and occupants claim the facility has not reached the standard it should for conventions. Rumors have even surfaced claiming the center is not registered with city hall – the sitting mayor should be able to answer yes or no to the allegations.
With complaints claiming convention center facilities are substandard, what do they mean? No kitchen? No preparation area? No dressing rooms?
Talks revealed the center was funded by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA). A reported 70 percent is said to have come from the government entity while another 20 came from either Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), and the remaining 10 from Malacañan.
These are things that need confirmation.
Rumors also suggest it was built off billions in taxpayer money. If everything is in order, then no necks will be slashed; if not, then many fingers will be cut off. Let’s wait and see who will still have a pair of feet to walk out.
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This column greets Rylina Ortaliz, Troy Camarista, Kim Martin Jimenez, Jerome Espejo, Tony Ajero, Manny Parroco, Ben Lopez, Jr., Evelyn Moriente, Ella Ayangco, Ramon Cua Locsin, Dhadha Garcia, May Castro, Boyet Ortaliz, Bobby Tee, Francis Redil Villanueva, and Tony Keh./WDJ