Tempo sports editor Rey Virgilio Lachica heads the new set of officers of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA).
Lachica, 54, was unanimously voted as president of the country’s oldest media organization during its virtual general assembly, a first in the history of the PSA, held recently.
He succeeds Tito Talao of the Manila Bulletin who served as president the past two years.
A product of University of the East where he once served as sports editor of The Dawn, the school’s official student publication, Lachica of Marbel, Cotabato province, carries with him a vast wealth of experience in sportswriting that spans more than three decades working for Malaya, Riyadh Daily, Manila Bulletin and Tempo.
Named by Lachica as his first and second vice presidents were Nelson Beltran of the Philippines Star and Francis Ochoa of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, respectively.
Appointed secretary was Jasmine Payo of Rappler while long-time People’s Journal sports editor Joe Antonio was named treasurer. Other officers are Gerry Ramos of SPIN.ph (assistant treasurer), and the Philippine Star’s Abac Cordero (auditor).
Talao heads the PSA Board whose members include Jimmy Cantor (Malaya), Dodo Catacutan (SPIN.ph), Lorenzo Lomibao Jr. (Business Mirror), Riera Mallari (Manila Standard), Ed Andaya (People’s Tonight), Mae Villena (PM), Ramil Cruz (Abante Tonite), Emil Noguera (Manila Times), Julius Manicad (Daily Tribune) and Ferdz delos Santos (Abante).
Former PSA president and current Daily Tribune managing editor Aldrin Cardona was named as group adviser.