MANILA, Philippines 鈥斅� Outgoing Education Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday told campus journalists to 鈥渘ever print, post or circulate鈥� anything that 鈥渋s not the truth.鈥�
Duterte gave the reminder to participants of this year鈥檚 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) at a kick-off ceremony in Carcar City, Cebu.
鈥淣ever print or post or circulate something that you know is not the truth,鈥� Duterte said in her opening remarks.
鈥淗uwag ninyong gawin na sirain ang buhay ng ibang tao, sirain ang imahe ng iba鈥檛 ibang organisasyon o ng mga tao sa alam niyong hindi totoo. Never assume, and don鈥檛 lie sa inyong trabaho,鈥� she added.
(Do not destroy other people鈥檚 lives, destroy the image of various organizations or people for what you know is not true. Never assume, and don鈥檛 lie in your work.)
Duterte also urged students never to mix 鈥渁ssumption and opinion鈥� in writing their reports.
鈥溾�楶ag opinyon ninyo ang sinusulat ninyo, never assume anything. Huwag ninyong ipaghalo ang assumption at opinyon, magkaibang bagay 鈥榶on,鈥� she said.
(If what you write is your opinion, never assume anything. Do not mix assumption and opinion, those are different things.)
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The NSPC is held annually pursuant to Republic Act 7079. It aims to recognize the role of journalism in advocating for social consciousness and environmental awareness and promote fair and ethical use of media as tenets of responsible journalism.
The competition鈥檚 opening marks one of Duterte鈥檚 last events as education secretary after she resigned from her post on June 19, which will be effective exactly a month after or on July 19.
Senator Sonny Angara is set to replace Duterte.
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