Foreword
These timeline events are gathered from various articles that are
available in the internet. They are presented so that the public may
understand how an association of journalists transformed itself from a social
club of some 15 members in 2001 into the kind of self-regulating association
that it is today.
Like most Filipino ethnic organizations, PPCO went through growing
pains in its maturation process and has had its share of
internal dissensions, frustrations, desertions and resignations.
The turning point in PPCO’s metamorphosis to the self-regulating body
it is today occurred during the presidency of Rose Tijam, who took the helm
when Paul de la Cruz vacated his position. Tijam announced during PPCO’s
tenth anniversary on December 2, 2011 that PPCO would take its responsibility
seriously in the future.
Hermie Garcia, who assumed the vice-president position, followed
through Tijam's new vision by announcing the launching of five great
initiatives, namely:
1. to
raise the standards of journalism in the community,
2. to
assist young and aspiring journalists,
3. to take editorial stands on important issues
such as immigration and temporary work programs,
4. to link
PPCO media workers with other sectors of the ethnic media, and
5. to develop “an independent stance on the part
of many of our journalists in relation to government officials, whether
Philippine or Canadian, and business and interest groups.”
Perhaps in support of Tijam’s and Garcia’s vision for the future, the
PPCO Board created the Constitution Revision Committee, consisting of Mogi
Mogado as chair, Jonathan Canchela as secretary, Hermie Garcia, Melinda
Rustia, and Rose Tijam as members.
The Committee completed its work and submitted an amended Constitution and By-laws which
incorporated a Code of Ethics for Journalists that bears resemblance with
that of the National Press Club in Manila. The Board duly approved the CBL in
March of 2012; and submitted it, and had it ratified, during the general
membership meeting on June 2, 2012.
On September 8, 2012 President Ricky Caluen, in his induction speech,
announced a “renaissance” with their newly amended Constitution that further
defines the purposes of the PPCO. Acknowledging that the community looks up
to the PPCO “to provide moral or ethical bearings”, Caluen exhorted the 55
members of PPCO to not lose sight of their awesome responsibility to be
truthful and fair in their treatment and reportage of issues. Caluen
further exhorted members to be relevant to what the community wants, while
holding on to its moral and ethical bearing - 'to walk the talk!'.
[Guy Camacho, as the researcher of these timeline events, acknowledges
that any factual error is unintentional and will be glad to receive any
corrections or supplementary information from any reliable source.]
December 17, 2001. The Philippine Press Club-Ontario is formed
during a meeting at the Silayan Community Centre at 235 Gerard Street in
Toronto. Paul de la Cruz is credited with bringing out his concept of
creating a new media organization in Ontario.
The founding members are Paul de la Cruz, Ace
Alvarez (Manila Media Monitor), Bong Faldas (staff writer of Manila Media
Monitor), Joe Baking (Little Manila Confidential), Jess Cabrias (Atin Ito
News and Features), Ruben Cusipag (Balita editor/publisher), Rose Tijam
(Balita columnist), Joe Damasco (Atin Ito News and Features), Nelson Galvez
and Carlos Unas (Filipino Bulletin), Armand Rustia and Melinda Rustia
(iFilipino Magazine), Turing Muere (Likha), and Rodel Ramos (free lancer
journalist).
May 17, 2002. The Constitution and By-Laws, drafted by the
Constitution Revision Committee composed of Armand Rustia, Melinda Parreno
Rustia, Rosalinda Tijam and Ricardo Caluen, is ratified at the Mabuhay
Restaurant on Bathurst Street.
The first set of Officers, for the term 2002-04 are Paul
de la Cruz as president, Armand Rustia as vice president, Rosalinda Tijam as
secretary, Nelson Galvez as treasurer, and Rodel Ramos, Jose Damasco, Tess
Cusipag and Jess Cabrias - as board members.
Although not declared official, PPCO’s operative principle is “Suporta
Filipino: Kababayan Mo, Itaguyod.”
2004. Second set of Officers for term 2004-06:
[no information found]
2005. PPCO is chosen as the annual host in Toronto for the
Philippine Canadian Embassy’s Marshall McLuhan Awardee for
Journalistic Excellence in Investigative Journalism in the
Philippine media. Part of the winner’s prize is a two-week study tour in
three of Canada’s major cities, including Toronto.
Named after the world-renowned Canadian communication theorist and
scholar, the Marshall McLuhan award was launched in 1997 by the Canadian
Embassy in Manila to encourage investigative journalism in the Philippines in
the firm belief that a strong media is essential to a democratic society.
2006. Third set of Officers for term 2006-08: [no information found]
February 8, 2008. The fourth set of Officers for term 2008-10 is
led by Tenny Soriano as president, Ace Alvarez as vice president, Butch
Galicia as secretary, Mogi Mogado as treasurer, and Tony Sicat, Hermie Garcia
and Mon Datol as directors. Consul Imelda Panolong is the induction guest.
November 28. 2008. PPCO congratulates the Canadian Ethnic
Media Association (CEMA) on the observance of its 30th anniversary.
CEMA at that time was currently headed by Ace Alvarez of Manila Media
Monitor.
Date Unknown. The publisher-editors of Balita and Taliba,
together with Rodel Ramos and Ralph Logatoc, are sued in court by Carlos
Padilla and Willie Cantos, both former presidents of Kalayaan
Cultural Community Center (KCCC) for libel.
December 1, 2008. Talakayan radio program producer-host Jess
Cabrias is declared as lifetime member of the PPCO.
PPCO president Tenny Soriano announces that PPCO completed a Libel
and Copyright Laws Seminar for its members sponsored by the Ontario
Provincial Service Employees Union (OPSEU) on November 15. Soriano
states that the seminar is part of an overall program of the PPCO to make
PPCO members aware of their responsibilities as journalists and to better
equip them with the proper methods in the pursuit of their mission.
December 6, 2008. Tobias “Jun” Enverga, Jr., president of PIDC,
is conferred the LINKAPIL award by President Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacanang,
Manila. PPCO extends congratulations from all its members to Jun for a
well-deserved recognition.
December 19, 2008. PPCO’s Christmas celebration is dedicated
to the Kol Hope Foundation which is a special fund-raising
project of Melinda Rustia. Celebrities grace the occasion.
January 2010. PPCO donates $750 to the families of the slain
victims of the Maguindanao massacre on November 2009. Manila Media Monitor
columnist Ricky Caluen, who hails from Mindanao, personally hands the
donation to the Philippine News Agency in Mindanao.
Date Unknown, 2010. A number of PPCO members accuse
Philippine Labor Attaché Frank Luna of bias and favoritism by giving more
information about caregivers to Toronto Star writer Dale Brazao than to PPCO
members. (Brazao, a non-Filipino, was recently recognized by the Philippine
government, through the recommendation of the Philippine Embassy at Ottawa,
for his uplifting articles about Filipino caregivers in Canada.) Atty. Luna,
who takes his post in the Toronto Consulate, denies the PPCO allegations.
Exact Date Unknown, 2010. Consul-General Minerva Falcon refutes the
suggestion from some PPCO members, during a dialogue, to declare Atty. Luna
as persona non grata, saying that only the sovereign host country
can exercise such powers.
May 15, 2010. The fifth set of Officers is elected for
term 2010-12 headed by Paul de la Cruz as president, Rose Tijam as
vice-president, Riza Khamal as secretary, Mogi Mogado as treasurer, and Joy
Sarmiento, Hermie Garcia, and Jess Cabrias as directors. Presiding as
‘Comelec Commissioner’ was Rosemer Enverga, who afterwards administered the
oath of office as well.
July 23, 2011. A number of journalists organize
themselves into the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines
– Canada Chapter. Edwin Mercurio as chairman, Butch Galicia,
editor of Libreto, and Tenny Soriano of Balita are the founding members.
(Soriano earlier resigned from the PPCO.)
October 2011. Paul de la Cruz, founding president in
2002, resigns as president for personal reasons, elevating Rose Tijam to the
presidency.
December 2, 2011. Almost 200 media practitioners, including
non-PPCO members and invited guests gather at Rembrandt Banquet Hall in
Scarborough to commemorate PPCO’s 10th founding anniversary. With
nostalgia, PPCO members renew their commitment to the Filipino-Canadian
community through initiative and foresight and by working closely together to
support the goals of PPCO.
In her address President Rose Tijam, declares that PPCO is
taking seriously its responsibility in the future saying “We write
and broadcast to inform, to report, comment, advocate, challenge, etc.
Importantly, we are aware of our duties and responsibilities and
accountability in our community and society.”
Supporting PPCO’s mandate, Vice-President Hermie Garcia outlines the five
“great initiatives” for the PPCO to take on as it defines its aspirations.
These are:
Date Unknown. The Constitution Revision Committee is
created by the PPCO Board for the purpose of drafting a revised Constitution
and By-Laws. It is believed that this guiding document must reflect the
necessary changes of PPCO’s objectives and its challenges. The
Committee consisted of Mogi Mogado as chair, Jonathan Canchela as secretary,
Hermie Garcia, Melinda Rustia, and Rose Tijam.
March 2012. Code of Ethics for Journalists is
approved for incorporation with the amended Constitution and By-Laws. The
code was inspired by those of the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) and
National Press Club (NPC).
June 2, 2012. The amended Constitution and By-laws
together with the Code of Ethics for Journalists takes effect upon
ratification by the majority of the members held at a general membership
meeting.
June 5, 2012. The sixth set of Officers is elected for
term 2012-14, headed by Ricky Caluen as President, Rubi Talavera as
Vice-President, Jonathan Canchela as Secretary, Noel Perada as Treasurer,
Imelda Suzara as Public Affairs and Communications Officer, and Eva Agpaoa,
Rolly Cabrera, Jess Cabrias, Jess Carlos and Eugene Deocareza as Directors.
September 8, 2012. The induction party of elected officers
is attended by Consul General Junever Mahilum-West. President Ricky
Caluen expresses the magnitude of PPCO’s mandate as he announces the adoption
of the amended Constitution that re-defines the purposes of the PPCO.
Open this link to view Caluen’s speech: http://youtu.be/Tnol93DrcWA
December 4, 2012. A dozen or so concerned citizens meet to
express their mutually shared observation that the recent spate of articles
in Balita and its ally in cyberspace, PhilVoiceNews amount to unfair and
malicious innuendos against certain individuals. After thorough discussion, a
unanimous consensus is arrived at to submit a letter-complaint to the PPCO.
The group is hopeful that the arbitration by the PPCO is a viable means of
resolving the issue, notwithstanding the fact that Balita’s founder Ruben
Cusipag and its current publisher-editor are not only members, but one of its
founders. Invited to witness the meeting is the Consul General, not for
the purpose of soliciting her support, but rather to show that the group’s
concern has sufficient basis and is premised on the best interests of the
community.
December 17, 2012. The Advocacy Network for Socially
Responsible and Ethical Journalism (“Advocacy”) in a letter to Ricky
Caluen formally brings to the attention of the PPCO several
articles published by Balita and PhilVoiceNews during the period of
March-November 2012 which they considered “profoundly disturbing” and may be
in violation of PPCO’s Journalists Code of Ethics; and requests a formal investigation and “to
take whatever actions are deemed necessary, desirable or appropriate in the
circumstances.”
December 21, 2012. PPCO President Ricardo Caluen
acknowledges in an email communication to one of the petitioners, Livvy
Camacho, his receipt of the group’s letter-complaint. Caluen, being on
leave, states that he will forward the petition to acting president Rubi
Talavera for action.
January 9, 2013. PPCO Vice President (and Acting
President) Rubi Talavera confirms in an email communication to Livvy Camacho
that she has forwarded the letter-complaint to PPCO’s Membership
Committee. Her email states “I have referred your email to our ppco
membership committee which is mandated to look after these issues”.
January 25, 2013. PPCO Secretary Jonathan Canchela officially
announces that the positions of the President and the Vice-president are
vacated by the resignations of Ricky Caluen and Rubi Talavera. In view
thereof the Board has decided to call for a special meeting of the general
membership on March 3, 2013 to elect the replacements.
February 10, 2013. An online petition is launched urging the
PPCO to address the original complaint filed by the Advocacy Network
for Socially Responsible and Ethical Journalism.
Open this link to view the on-line petition: http://petition.fairjournalism.info
Full information about the complaint to PPCO is contained in www.fairjournalism.info
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Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Historical Timeline of Philippine Press Club of Ontario’s Transformation from a Social Club to a Professional Association of Journalists with Rules of Governance and a Code of Ethics
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