THE National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC), one of the country’s oldest but biggest organization of active members of the press, chalked another milestone in its 69-years history after electing its first woman-president during its general assembly and election held last May 1, 2022, at its headquarters in Intramuros, Manila, the nation’s capital.
Elected as new NPC president was, Lydia Bueno, editor of the Remate tabloid who was also the Club’s secretary before her election. She swapped position with Paul M. Gutierrez, the Club’s immediate past president.
It would also be the first time in the Club’s history that the top two positions of the Club are held by women, with the election of Ma. Kristina Maralit of Manila Times, as vice president.
Also re-elected to their posts are Club treasurer Mina Navarro (Abante) and Leonel ‘Boying’ Abasola (Balita/Manila Bulletin) as auditor.
Also re-elected as directors of the Club are the following: Aya Yupangco, Alvin Murcia, Joe Torres, Jean Fernando, Jeany Lacorte, Benedict Abaygar, Nats Taboy, Marietta ‘Madz’ Dominguez, Ernesto and, ‘Jun’ Mendoza.
Bobby Ricohermoso, another elected director, was previously also a director of the Club. The NPC has five executive positions and 10 directorships as provided for under its By-Laws.
All the winners are members of the ‘Press Freedom Party’ (PFP) that has been the main party behind all the positive reforms at the Club for more than a decade now, reforms that were all lauded and supported by the general membership.
Comprising this year’s Election Committee are NPC lifetime members, Al Pedroche (chairman), Catalino ‘Jun’ Alano (vice chairman) and Ernesto ‘Estong’ Reyes (member).
Amendments to NPC By-Laws
To further adopt to the changing times, the general membership also approved two major amendments to the NPC By-Laws that was first formulated when it was registered as a non-stock, non-profit organization before the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 1952.
As approved by the general membership, the NPC is opening its doors to local, provincial and regional media organizations in the country for them to become recognized NPC “affiliates,” provided they comply with some membership requirements.
A proposal to also strengthen the Club’s “oversight committee” to review the policies and decisions taken by the NPC Board was also approved.
Gutierrez said the strengthening of the oversight committee, henceforth to be known as the ‘Council of Advisers’ (The Council) is to prevent a repeat of the Club’s previous experience under unscrupulous leaders whose decisions proved inimical to the interest of the Club in particular and the credibility and integrity of the media profession in the country in general.