Nene’s legacy in Cagayan De Oro: Press freedom

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY–Unknown to many, the freedom fighter Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. was instrumental in institutionalizing the observance of Press Freedom Week in this city which he served as mayor from 1980 to 1984.

According to records of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC), it was Pimentel who signed in 1982 an executive order declaring every 4th week of May as Press Freedom Week.

The order stemmed from Pimentel’s unwavering resistance against the Marcos dictatorship and his commitment to cultivate democratic spaces whenever he can, said incumbent COPC president Ritchie Salloman.

For 37 years since the signing of that order, COPC has been observing Press Freedom Week, Salloman added.

“Pimentel is remembered as a great statesman and a leader who fought for the restoration of democracy during the darkest hour of martial law,” Salloman said.

“As a fighter of press freedom and himself a lifetime member of the COPC, we take pride in Senator Pimentel as the son of Cagayan de Oro and the icon of Mindanao leaders,” he added./TSB