Key highlights:
At a ceremony held on March 26 at the Office of the Senate President, the trustees took their oath of office, administered by Senate President Francis Escudero. The Senate leader encouraged the PRSP officers to embrace their role as storytellers for the country and use their craft to shape narratives that highlight the strengths of the Filipino people.
“You are storytellers. You have the skills and the power to shape public perception and influence people’s behavior. May you never lose sight of the important role that you play in society. Use your knowledge and skills to tell the world about the good that the Philippines and Filipinos have to offer,” the group’s statement quoted Escudero as saying.
Leading the organization for the current term is Ma. Luisa Sebastian who reiterated the group’s commitment to using public relations to advance societal good and uphold ethical standards.
“We are aware of the weight of our responsibility to society, and we commit to using our platforms and our voices for good. Through our programs, we aim to not only build the capabilities of our peers, but also ensure that they stay the course as ethical practitioners of our craft,” Sebastian said.
Among the PRSP’s flagship initiatives this year is the development of a primer for the Anvil Awards, the group’s premier recognition program. The goal is to make the competition guidelines more transparent and better aligned with current industry practices and societal expectations. This move responds to calls for clarity and objectivity in how public relations campaigns are judged.
In parallel, the organization is also advancing the professionalization of the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) program. The aim is to encourage more PR professionals to seek accreditation and to provide clearer support throughout the accreditation process.
Other programs on the PRSP’s agenda include the relaunch of the Students’ PR Congress, the National PR Congress, a professional development seminar series, outreach efforts, and quarterly general membership meetings.
Sebastian emphasized that the thrust toward transparency and accreditation is anchored in a broader objective of stakeholder engagement—ranging from professionals and partner organizations to students.
Supporting Sebastian this year are Ana Ruby Pista (vice president for internal affairs), Norman Agatep (vice president for external affairs), Abigail Ho-Torres (treasurer), Franz Jonathan De La Fuente (corporate secretary), Paul Michael De Quiros (internal auditor), and trustees Joe Zaldarriaga, Steve Michael Moore, and Deivid Guian Rioferio. Immediate past president Andy Saracho and Jika Dalupan serve as advisers.
