Various journalists from local print and broadcasting media, and bloggers in the Central
Visayas region attended a four-day seminar conducted by the Philippine Center for
Investigative Journalism (www.pcij.org) on January 28 to 31 at the Metrocentre Hotel and
Convention Center in Tagbilaran City Bohol. The seminar covered the following topics:
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as Election Issues, and on Covering Automated
Elections, Uncovering Campaign Finance.
The resource speakers included Ms. Che de los Reyes, Ms. Jessamyn Encarnacion, Chief
Poverty Human Development, Labor and Gender Statistics Director (NSCB), Prof. Leonor
Magtolis-Briones of UP-NCPAG and Convenor of SocialWatch Philippines, Dr. Romulo A.
Virola, Secretary General of the National Statistical Coordination Board and Malou Mangahas,
the Executive Director of PCIJ, Tita C. Valderama, PCIJ Training Director, Atty. Luie Tito F.
Guia, Trustee of Lawyers’ League for Liberty (Libertas)/Lente and political analyst Angelito T.
Banayo.
The sessions gave the journalists an orientation on relevant election issues and laws, regulations on
campaign finance, the political system and campaign
strategies. The program also included practical and hands-on exercises designed to help participants
refine their critical thinking skills, hone their reporting talents, and better understand their obligations as
professional journalists.
In a brief meeting with executive director Malou Mangahas, Auza.Net technology consultant
Jerome Auza discussed possible avenues of cooperation where Auza.Net could contribute
to the efforts of PCIJ in bringing more attention to the MDGs through online media like
www.boholnewsdaily.com. The website currently aggregates relevant news and features
about Bohol and a few relevant national and regional issues.