Vice President Sara Duterte called on student journalists to always value truth and to never tarnish the reputation of others with lies.

Duterte made the call during the opening of the 2024 National Schools Press Conference in Carcar City, Cebu on July 8, 2024.

The NSPC, which gathers some of the best student journalists from across the Philippines, will run until July 12.

In a message to participants, Duterte, the outgoing secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), said journalists must “never assume anything” and must not mix opinion and assumption.

“Gusto ko lang maalala niyo ang dalawang bagay sa pagtrabaho ninyo at sa pagpupursigi ninyo sa inyong interes at karera sa journalism. Unang-una, kapag opinyon ninyo ang sinusulat ninyo, never assume anything. Huwag ninyong ipaghalo ang assumption at opinyon. Magkaibang bagay ‘yun,” she said.

She also asked the student journalists to never spread lies so as not to tarnish the reputation of others.

“Never print, or post, or circulate something that you know is not the truth. Wag ninyong gawin na sirain ang buhay ng ibang tao, sirain ang imahe ng iba’t-ibang organisasyon o ng mga tao sa alam niyong hindi totoo. Never assume and don’t lie sa inyong trabaho,” Duterte said.

“We all want to see you as award-winning journalists in the future, not just for national awards, but of course, for international awards,” she added.

Also present during the NSPC opening were Senator Imee Marcos and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.