FREEMAN editorial page hailed best in PPI awards

CEBU, Philippines - The FREEMAN emerged as the only daily newspaper in Cebu to bag an award at the recently-concluded 2016 Civic Journalism Community Press Awards of the Philippine Press Institute.

The paper was awarded Best in Editorial Page, besting two other nominees, namely Sun.Star Pampanga and Edge Davao.

The FREEMAN managing editor Lucky Malicay, who received the award last night at the H2O Hotel in Manila, said the award supports The FREEMAN's commitment of  always giving an independent opinion.

For his part, the paper’s publisher Jerry Tundag said the award is something that not only makes The FREEMAN and everybody involved in its publication proud.

“It is also a validation of the paper’s unwavering effort to deal with current issues in a highly professional and objective way. To those who keep their faith in us, thank you so much,” Tundag said.

Aside from the award, The FREEMAN also obtained this years nominations for Best in Environmental Reporting and Best Edited Community Newspaper.

Last year, The FREEMAN was adjudged Best in Environmental Reporting and Best in Fisheries Reporting.

Edge Davao brought home the most awards in the daily category this year. It won Best in Environmental Reporting, Best in Photojournalism, and Best Edited Community Newspaper.

Rounding out the winners in the daily category was Sun.Star Bacolod for Best in Business and Economic Reporting.

Among newspapers that come out weekly, Baguio Midland Courier copped three awards: Best in Business and Economic Reporting, Best in Editorial Page, and Best Edited Community Newspaper. It also won Best in Sustainable Construction Exhibit.

Other awardees in the weekly category are The Baguio Chronicle for Best in Photojournalism and Mindanao Cross for Best in Environmental Reporting.

Regional finalists in the daily category included Sunstar Baguio, Cebu Daily News, Edge Davao, The FREEMAN, Sun.star Bacolod, Mindanao Daily Mirror, and Sun.Star Pampanga.

For the weekly category, the finalists were Baguio Chronicle, Metro Post, Davao Catholic Herald, Baguio Midland Courier, The Mindanao Cross, The Negros Chronicle, and The Mindanao Observer.

The awards program is being managed by the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) and supported by Nickel Asia  Corp. (NAC) which is PPI’s principal partner in its civic journalism programs.

Founded in 1964 and reactivated in 1987, the PPI is the country's oldest and largest association of newspapers. (FREEMAN)