Mayor Moreno tells media practitioners: Remain truthful

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno joined officials and members of the Association of Philippine Journalists – Samahang Plaridel Foundation (Samahang Plaridel) in celebrating the 175th birth anniversary of Filipino propagandist Marcelo H. del Pilar (a.k.a. Plaridel) at Plaridel’s monument in Malate, Manila.

Mayor Moreno challenged the current crop of media practitioners to remain truthful amidst self-proclaimed journalists using social media platforms. Samahang Plaridel chairman and Manila Standard publisher Rolando G. Estabillo recalled the formation of the organization of veteran journalists back in 2002, advocating for social change through passionate, truthful and professional journalism. 

Samahang Plaridel president Evelyn Quiroz, meanwhile, pushed for ethical journalism to combat fake online news as a tool to strengthen our democracy. Also in attendance was Plaridel’s great granddaughter, Rica Pauline Villegas, who expressed dismay at recent revelations of media practitioners doing public relations in the guise of journalism. 

Samahang Plaridel is an organization of veteran journalists, founded by icons of Philippine media such as Max Soliven, Adrian Cristobal, Neil Cruz, Jullie Yap–Daza, Carmen Guerrero Nakpil, advocating for journalists to fearlessly report the true state of society and echo the sentiments of Filipinos.