Press Cub elections

FOR the second time, it is going to be Msgr. Elmer Abacahin who will lead yet another year as president of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC), and 14 others to sit along with him as the club’s board of directors.

Some were new to the position and some are already seasoned as to how the COPC breathes.

COPC, as claimed by the elder members, is the oldest organization in the Philippines created by the practicing members of the press since 1951. To date, it has flourished to about 132 members and on last Saturday’s election and general assembly, about 108 cast their votes. Of the total number of votes, Msgr. Abacahin got 107. It was said that he did not include himself on his ballot.

Over the years of its existence, it is no doubt that the COPC has somehow managed to become an influence to the community. And every action it made can create impacts to the society (or am I exaggerating again?). But like any organizations, it had its “dark ages” and political mechanisms that sometimes spell some ironies.

Ironies like the very issues most members of the press are vigilant about in the field of politics and government affairs: alleged corruption, transparency, alleged vote buying and the like, that are sometimes being practiced within the halls of the club.

Because election time in the club is not an ordinary election similar to the Parents-Teachers Community Association or homeowners associations elections, it has unwritten protocols that are somehow reflective to the political elections we have in the country. Some may convince you to do block voting or voting straight a particular line-up. But it’s up to your conscience and principles.

But in the end, it’s the same COPC, only that some people outside the community may have little criticisms on who leads like Msgr. Abacahin, who, according to some non-members and not practicing journalist or in the press, is not supposed to be sitting in the club’s presidency because of his “political” attachments at City Hall.

Of course, unless they are members of COPC, they would know that no matter what political color or leanings some members of the press could be (which is supposedly non-partisan), everyone is working together to one goal. And again, at the end of the day, those who were divided in the elections because of these “parties” will be dissolved until next election season.

But hopefully in the next election season, there will be no more nasty “politicking” just to win a seat in the board of directors, and of course, no hurt feelings. The club, however, should stand as a fixture of good examples to other organizations in the community and must again redeem from the “dark past” it once had.

(Nef Luczon is a freelance journalist and a part-time communications faculty and trainer. He is also a film and art enthusiast. Read his blog at Nefoi.blogspot.com and send comments to nefluczon@gmai.com)