Arroyo, De Castro laud PAPI's mid-year confab BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo hailed the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) for the holding of its 13th Mid-Year Conference and Executive Session on June 23 to 24 at Makati Sports Club.
Arroyo said the flagship theme, “Media and the 2010 Elections: Challenges and Opportunities,” underscores PAPI's unswerving commitment to help ensure honest, orderly and peaceful political exercise in the coming year.
"PAPI has ably and consistently demonstrated the sterling qualities of leadership in media as a vital partner of government in achieving our national agenda for development," the President said.
Vice President Noli de Castro said the PAPI conference speaks highly on professionalism, advocacy and leadership in preserving the hard-earned gains of the democracy.
"As the vanguard of press freedom, PAPI deserves all the encouragement and support we can muster and extend to it, especially as it embarks on its new initiative to enlighten our electorate on the imperatives of the coming national elections," he said.
De Castro said the gathering brings forth the idealism of the press in helping mold a public opinion that shapes national decisions and steers the destiny of the nation.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said the Senate strongly recognize the significant role of the mass media in helping sustain national stability, peace and progress, "PAPI has no doubt placed itself at par with every working democratic institution in our country worthy of public adulation and emulation. Thus our avowed commitment to place premium on passing laws uphold at all times the sanctity of the freedom of the press," he said.
Speaker Prospero Nograles said, "without any iota of doubt, the press plays a pivotal role in encouraging the people to rally behind our national endeavors. In fact, the dynamism of the press finds relevance in the courage and determination of our legislators to enact laws that accord the Fourth Estate the highest degree of recognition, respect and support."
"With “Media and the 2010 Elections: Challenges and Opportunities” as its centerpiece conference theme, PAPI has shown its invaluable and untiring efforts to mobilize the press in helping enlighten our electorate on the critical importance of the national elections in the coming year," Nograles added.