STAR bags another ‘outstanding newspaper’ award

The Philippine STAR received last Friday morning another award as the crusading group Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) recognized the newspaper’s leading role in the vanguard of upholding the rights of victims of heinous crimes.

Publisher and chairman Max Soliven received the trophy on behalf of the STAR from VACC’s founding chairman Dante Jimenez and president Martin Diño.

STAR Makati City beat reporter Michael Punongbayan was also conferred the honor of being recognized as "newspaper reporter of the year." He has been with the company since January 2005.

Soliven thanked the anti-crime watchdog organization for acknowledging his newspaper’s efforts.

He said that the newspaper continues to live by its slogan that "Truth shall prevail."

"It is not getting the awards or compliments however that a newspaper is deemed successful," he pointed out however, "but that we do our job the best way we can."

Recently, the 20-year-old STAR was also named the "Newspaper of the Year" by the Rotary Club of Manila.

On its eighth founding anniversary, the VACC lauded The STAR as one of the "pillars of the criminal justice system" for "its invaluable service to the community by consistently publishing factual news stories and commentaries that are devoid of sensationalism."

It also believes that the newspaper places the "highest concern for responsible and balanced journalism that is in line with their role as guardians of the victims’ struggle for justice."

The STAR was among several other awardees that included judges, prosecutors, lawyers, law enforcement agencies, television and radio stations. They were cited for their contribution to law and order.

Among them was lawyer Leonard de Vera, who once headed the Integrated Bar of the Philippines as president and is now in private practice.

Aside from the STAR, other awardees from the media were radio station dzRJ, dzBB radio program hosts Arnold Clavio and Ali Sotto, television network GMA-7, and television host Ben Tulfo of IBC’s "Bitag Extreme" program.

A special posthumous award went to NBI director Reynaldo Wycoco, who died on Dec. 19 last year. He suffered a stroke from a ruptured brain aneurysm and went into a coma for 26 days.

Five NBI officials also received special awards — Reynaldo Esmeralda, chief of the bureau’s Special Task Force; Regner Peneza, chief of the counter-intelligence division; Arnold Lazaro, chief of the background investigation division; Noel Morales, of the counter-intelligence division; and Carlo Vasquez, chief of the anti-terrorism division.

Ambassador to Singapore Belen Anota received a special award for the assistance she gave to Filipina domestic helper Jane la Puebla, who was murdered by fellow Filipina maid Guen Aguilar in Singapore.

The VACC, which would be extending its services to Filipino overseas workers, also cited its chapter coordinator in Singapore, Shi Fa Rong.