Investigative reporter named 2010 Aquino Fellow for journalism

A veteran investigative journalist and educator has been named as the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Fellowship Awardee for journalism for 2010. Yvonne Chua, multi-awarded investigative reporter and journalism professor at the University of the Philippines, was given the recognition on Monday by the United States Embassy and the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation for the “depth and breadth of her work" in journalism for the past years. “Her [Chua’s] award-winning articles helped expose discrepancies in textbook procurement in public schools, lack of accountability and transparency in government institutions, and unexplained wealth of former senior officials," the US Embassy citation read. Maria Elena “Ballsy" Aquino-Cruz, elder sister of President Benigno Aquino III, handed the citation to Chua during the awarding ceremonies on Monday in Manila. Chua, in her acceptance speech, said that Filipino journalists continue “performing (their) roles" amidst the various challenges to press freedom, such as the rising number of media killings and “increasing restrictions" to freedom of expression. “Amidst all these, we must all the more perform our roles as journalists — perform it fully and perform it well," she said in her speech. Aside from Chua, Flora May Cerna of the Transparency and Accountability Network was named as this year’s Aquino Fellow for Public Service. The Aquino fellows will travel to the United States on a three to four-week professional exchange program through the US Embassy’s International Visitor Program.—Andreo C. Calonzo/JV, GMANews.TV