BY CRIS DIAZ
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY: Like the proverbial saying: ‘Don’t stir the hornet nest,’ the suspension and expulsion of five members of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) stirred controversies that exposed the weaknesses of the 50 year old press club here.
Expelled was Ronnie Waniwan, while suspended were Ric Ociones, Jao Gumapac, Rose Mondejar and Fred Soriano, all elected as members of the COPC board.
Lawyers of expelled and suspended members demanded that Froilan Gallardo, COPC President and members of the Board of Directors retract the expulsion and suspension of members along with a public apology.
In a two page letter dated May 9, 2024, lawyer Johanne Agustin, the legal counsel of the expelled and suspended COPC officials, demanded the retraction and the issuance of public apology otherwise the legal counsel will file appropriate charges against Gallardo and COPC officials.
The issue steamed when Waniwan and four other elected Board of Directors inducted themselves without the consent of the COPC President.
According to Waniwan, the separate induction of the other COPC members was ceremonial in nature and does not merit expulsion or suspension.
He said that the expulsion and suspension have besmirched their reputations as members of the media and violative of the COPC’s constitution and by laws.
