PAPI Throws Support for ‘Ako Media’ Party-list

“Ako Media”, a new political group formed by media members in Cebu, is set for the 2016 elections and is ready to be registered before the Commissions on Elections (COMELEC).

‘Ako Media’ Party-list group was introduced by Dr. Paulus Cañete, a known radio commentator and president and proprietor of Mandaue City College, during the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc.(PAPI) meeting at Cebu Business Hotel on Friday last week.

“This is high time now that media people should have a representation in Congress, so that we can legislate matters which are beneficial to media personalities and their respective family members”, Cañete said.

Cañete noted that media people are working and exerting efforts to benefit themselves but lack of congressional support.

“How come the group of farmers , tricycle drivers, and other organizations of ordinary people became politically motivated and represented in congress through the so-called party-list”, Cañete commented.

“This is high time now that media people could participate in the legislative works of congress and also to create measures which are beneficial to the respective members of media and their family members,” he said.

Cañete is also willing to personally register the group to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and even to pay its registration fee.

He said he will confer his idea to the media groups in Mindanao, then to Luzon and Metro Manila. At the same time Cañete said he will appoint three prospective media members who will represent as candidates of Ako Media Party-list during the 2016 elections.

Cañete added that he is not interested to take any seat of the said party-list group.

“Its enough for me to organize and I will see to it that the persons to man the party would be versatile and ideal to handle congressional works at par with other congressmen”, he said.

Meanwhile, PAPI officials and members were united in throwing their support to Cañete’s plan.

Engr. Greg Senining, PAPI Cebu Chapter President lauded Cañete’s move and expressed hope that other media organizations in the country are ready to support the move to achieve all its desires.