NUJP Cagayan de Oro

22/08/2026

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Cagayan de Oro Chapter welcomes the decision of the Office of the Cagayan de Oro City Prosecutor, dismissing the cyberlibel and alleged violation of the Data Privacy Act complaints against our member, Menzie Montes of RMN/iFM Cagayan de Oro.

This development is indeed a victory for press freedom.

In a resolution dated June 11, 2026, the city prosecutor’s office dismissed the criminal complaints filed by Richel Petalcurin-Dahay, who currently serves as acting head of the City Education and Development Department, for failure of the evidence on records to establish a prima facie case with reasonable certainty of conviction.

The complaints stemmed from the conversation between the two parties amid the alleged delayed tuition payments and delayed issuance of city scholars’ allowances last year, when Montes posted on Facebook a complaint regarding the matter from an anonymous concerned individual.

The city prosecutor’s office stated that the evidence on records failed to sufficiently establish the first and most fundamental element of cyberlibel, which is a defamatory imputation. It said the content of the publication did not expressly accuse the complainant of corruption.

As to the alleged violation of the Data Privacy Act complaint, Petalcurin-Dahay argued that Montes disclosed screenshots of their conversation without her consent, saying it is a violation under the same law.

However, the city prosecutor’s office considered the contention “unpersuasive.” It stated that the subject communication involved concerns raised to a government office. It also said that under the Data Privacy Act, among the exclusions are information that relates to the functions of government employees or officials.

The use of lawfare against journalists continues. In fact, this is the third cyberlibel complaints filed against our colleague. The dismissal of the recent complaints shows that we can win the legal battle. Nevertheless, our calls to decriminalize libel and stop the weaponization of laws and media attacks remain, as these could stifle press freedom.

We express our gratitude to the dedicated lawyers of La Viña Zarate and Associates for their legal assistance that resulted in this victory.

We also thank the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC), especially the leadership of its former president, Mr. Froilan Gallardo, and lawyer Beverly Musni of the Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) who made the partnership with La Viña Zarate and Associates possible.

Reference:
NUJP Cagayan de Oro Chapter | [email protected]

21/08/2026

ALERT: The Office of the Cagayan de Oro City Prosecutor dismissed the cyberlibel and alleged violation of the Data Privacy Act complaints filed by a Cagayan de Oro local government official against journalist Menzie Montes for failure of the evidence on record to establish a prima facie case with reasonable certainty of conviction.

13/08/2026

Ms. Anne Jane Duhaylungsod of RMN DXCC, treasurer of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Cagayan de Oro Chapter, has participated in Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) training for Filipino journalists from August 11 to 12, 2026, in Quezon City.

Organized by NUJP's National Directorate, the training aimed to introduce participants to the issue of gender equity and safety at work.

We thank the National Directorate for requesting one participant from our chapter for this training.

10/08/2026

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines´ (NUJP) stand on media junkets is clear.

We believe accepting sponsored trips from those accused of committing genocide is downright unethical. There ought to be no moral dilemma in rejecting offers from Israel. Our guide should be simple: Whose interests are you serving?

Read the full statement here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1F23TVL85K/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Download NUJP's Ethical Guide for Filipino Journalists for free and read: https://nujp.org/ethical-guide-for-filipino-journalists/

07/08/2026

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) condemns the barrage of legal charges against Roxas City-based radio anchors of Baskog Radio.

Yesterday, August 7, a warrant of arrest was issued by a Muntinlupa court against India Lavapiez over unjust vexation charges. India did not know of the complaint prior to the issuance of the warrant. It turned out that the complainant is the son of a local politician who also filed a separate cyberlibel case.

Read the full statement here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17FLuzdPqi/?mibextid=wwXIfr

05/08/2026

Hirap kumuha ng impormasyon mula sa iba’t ibang opisina o kawani ng gobyerno? I-submit ang reports sa National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)!

This monitor aims to document experiences of Filipino journalists in accessing information under FOI mechanisms and other public records processes.

The NUJP’s National Directorate is gathering reports on denied requests, delays, incomplete disclosures, excessive fees, intimidation, or other barriers encountered in the course of journalistic work.

The information collected will help identify patterns, strengthen advocacy for transparency, and support efforts to improve access to information in the Philippines.

Submit reports by scanning the QR Code or go to bit.ly/nujpfoimonitor

02/08/2026

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines takes offense at Vice President Sara Duterte's criticism of Philippine journalism as falling short of international standards and her endorsement of social media as the only truth peddlers.

Read the full statement here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DgmYrTr38/?mibextid=wwXIfr

01/08/2026

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) - Cagayan de Oro Chapter successfully concluded its General Assembly and Election of Officers, which was held in the Cagayan de Oro Press Club Board Room on Saturday, August 1, with strong calls to stop media killings, red-tagging, and to decriminalize libel.

The chapter also highlights its demands for justice for radio broadcaster Federico "Ding" Gempesaw, reportedly the first media killing in the city, and to drop the criminal complaints against journalist Menzie Montes.

Prior to the general assembly, as part of its initiative to expand its membership, the chapter also conducted an orientation to non-members for them to know the organization and its objectives and campaigns. Eight journalists have signified their interest in joining NUJP, the only Philippine affiliate of the International Federation of Journalists, the largest global union federation of journalists' trade unions in the world.

Chapter members also elected their officers from August 2026 to August 2028.

Chairperson: Franck Dick Rose, Bulatlat
Vice Chairperson: Shiela Mae Butlig, Mindanao Gold Star
Secretary-General: Cheleste Simene-Jomaya, RPN DXKO
Treasurer: Anne Jane Duhaylungsod, RMN DXCC
Auditor: Edwin Iyo, Mindanao Gold Star
Safety Officer: Bobby Lagsa

NUJP is a lateral guild committed to securing the interest of the working Filipino press.

30/07/2026

27/07/2026

| As of July 2026, the NUJP has documented 256 cases of attacks against the press under the Marcos Jr. administration. Behind every number is a journalist, a newsroom, and a community whose access to truth is at risk.

Check the data here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DEFcPcgjx/?mibextid=wwXIfr