Vice President Sara Duterte delivers a speech during the launching of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) and School Mental Health Program at the Esteban Abada Elementary School in Quezon City on January 24, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

CARCAR CITY, Cebu— Vice President and outgoing Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Monday told student journalists to "never assume" and "never lie" in performing their duties.

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Speaking before the opening ceremony of the 2024 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) in Carcar City, Cebu, Duterte said these two are the most important things students should always remember as they pursue their interest and career in journalism.

“Unang una, kapag opinyon ninyo ang sinusulat ninyo, never assume anything. Huwag ninyong ipaghalo ang assumption at opinyon. Magkaibang bagay iyon,” Duterte said in her speech.

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 She also advised students to “never print, post or circulate” anything that is not truthful.

“Huwag ninyong gawin na sirain ang buhay ng ibang tao o sirain ang imahe ng iba't-ibang organisasyon o mga tao sa alam ninyong hindi totoo,” she said.

“Never assume and don’t lie sa inyong trabaho. Iyan lang ang gusto ko na maalala ninyo,” she added.

A total of 3,145 students from different regions will be participating in this year’s NSPC.

The event, which will be held on July 9-11, aims to provide venue for students to “demonstrate understanding on the importance of journalism by expressing it through different journalistic endeavors and approaches."

It also targets to enhance journalistic competence of students through healthy and friendly competitions, as well as promote responsible journalism and fair and ethical use of social media.

“I wish you good luck in the competition. And we all want to see you as award-winning journalists in the future, not just for national awards, but of course the international awards,” Duterte said.

DEPED EVENTS IN CEBU

Aside from the NSPC, other programs of DepEd will also be held in Cebu province within the month of July.

These are the National Festival of Talents, National Learning Convergence, Palarong Pambansa and the Brigada Eskwela. 

Duterte said DepEd specifically chose to hold these events in the province. 

“Bakit hindi pwede pag-isahin ang mga national events ng Department of Education para hindi pabalik-balik ang ating mga guro sa iba't-ibang lugar, at trainers and coaches sa iba't-ibang lugar para umattend ng iba't-ibang events ng Department of Education,” she said. 

"[P]ara makatulong tayo sa kanilang local na ekonomiya at sa mga negosyo, iyong mga micro small and medium businesses,” she said. 

Duterte will remain Education secretary until July 18 following her resignation from the administration’s Cabinet.

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Sen. Sonny Angara will assume the post and continue the department’s preparations for the first day of classes on July 29.

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