As we all know, being in the public eye isn’t easy. If you’re a public servant, you’re going to be scrutinized, questioned, and often criticized. It’s part of the job.
The thing is, our job as news reporters is a bit like peeling an onion—scraping away the layers, digging deeper to find the truth underneath. It’s not always pretty, and it’s rarely easy, but it’s necessary. We peel back the layers to get to the heart of the story.
Now, I know it’s not always comfortable to be on the receiving end of that scrutiny. But it’s important to remember—if we don’t do this, who will? The public has a right to know the truth, even when it’s tough, even when it stings a little, like scraping away at an onion.
The rule of thumb is: don’t be too sensitive to the news, even when it’s hard to hear. We’re all here for the same reason—to serve the public and make a difference. Sometimes that means facing the truth, layer by layer, until we get to what really matters.
When I was invited to join our team in 2022 by then-president and lifelong friend Arnel San Pedro, I agreed because I wanted to contribute to the CLMA story. I never imagined I would be where I am now.
With the invaluable mentorship and timeless wisdom of our wordsmith, Chairman Emeritus Caesar Bong Lacson, and Mentor-Chairman Boy Santiago, I humbly accept this responsibility, driven by unwavering dedication and a profound sense of duty. I vow to pour my heart and soul into this mission, leaving no stone unturned.
Moreover, life is like a room. If we look to our right, there will always be someone better than us, but if we look to our left, there’s someone who would love to be in our position.
It’s not about who’s ahead or who’s behind—it’s about our own progress. We must focus on our journey, our growth, and our goals. Every step forward is a victory. Let’s not allow what others have to distract us from what we’re building.
We are not in competition with anyone else but ourselves. There will always be someone who seems to have more, but there’s also someone who looks up to us, wishing they had what we do. So let’s keep pushing, stay committed, and celebrate our progress.
Our only competition is who we were yesterday. That’s how we win—by growing together every day.
As your president, I am committed that every ounce of my energy will be devoted to the service of our team and the general public.
There’s no compromise, no relaxation, and again, no competition with anyone. This is our DNA in the CLMA, whatever it takes, we must uphold the highest standards of equality, humility, integrity, and transparency. That’s how we maintain the public’s trust in CLMA.
Your dreams will inspire my actions, and your concerns will guide my decisions. So, I ask each of you to join me in this journey.
Share your ideas, share your passions and dreams. As a team, working together, we can build a future that shines brightly for all CLMAers.
In the latest Bad Boys sequel I watched over the weekend, Marcus said to Mike: “There’s a storm coming. No, not that storm. We’re gonna be tested. Things are gonna get bad, and we’re gonna have to make a really hard choice. Just know, we’re good.”
Finally, let us move forward and write the next chapter of the CLMA story together.
This is where you and I belong! Long live CLMA!